Acid Jazz

Acid Jazz is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1980s in the United Kingdom. The term "acid jazz" was coined by journalist Chris Bangs, who used it to describe the mix of jazz, funk, and soul music that he heard in London clubs. Acid Jazz was characterized by its use of electronic instruments and improvisational playing. The origins of Acid Jazz can be traced back to the Jazz-Funk movement of the 1970s, which was a fusion of jazz and funk music that incorporated elements of rock and roll. This movement was popularized by artists such as Herbie Hancock, George Benson, and James Brown. In the 1980s, Acid Jazz gained popularity in the UK as a reaction to the dominant electronic and synthpop music that was prevalent in the music industry at that time. The Acid Jazz movement was spearheaded by DJs and musicians who were passionate about jazz and funk music, and wanted to create a new form of music that blended these genres with contemporary sounds. One of the first Acid Jazz bands was the Brand New Heavies, who formed in London in 1985. Their music was a blend of jazz, funk, and soul with a touch of disco and hip-hop. Their first album, "The Brand New Heavies," was released in 1990 and featured vocalists such as N'Dea Davenport and Carleen Anderson. Another influential Acid Jazz band was Incognito, who formed in 1979 and made their mark in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their music was a blend of acid jazz, soul, and funk, and they were known for their tight instrumentation and vocal harmonies. Their biggest hit was a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," which charted in the UK in 1992. One of the most influential Acid Jazz record labels was Acid Jazz Records, founded by Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson in 1987. The label signed artists such as the James Taylor Quartet, Corduroy, and the New Jersey Kings. The label also released compilations such as "Totally Wired," which showcased the best of Acid Jazz music. Acid Jazz also had an impact on mainstream music in the 1990s. Many artists, such as Jamiroquai and Incubus, incorporated elements of Acid Jazz into their music. Jamiroquai, in particular, had a string of hits in the 1990s that blended Acid Jazz with funk and soul. Their album "Travelling Without Moving" was a massive success, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. Despite its popularity in the 1990s, Acid Jazz has since faded from the mainstream. However, it remains an influential genre that has had a lasting impact on the music industry. Many of the pioneers of Acid Jazz continue to perform and record music, and there are still a number of young musicians who are inspired by the genre and incorporate its elements into their own music.

Incognito - Incognito is a British Acid Jazz band that formed in 1979 and is still active today. Their unique blend of Jazz, Funk, and Soul has made them one of the most popular Acid Jazz bands in the world. Some of their most popular tracks include “Always There” and “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing”. Jamiroquai - Jamiroquai is a British band that formed in 1992. They are best known for their hit song “Virtual Insanity”, which won four MTV Video Music Awards. Their sound incorporates elements of Acid Jazz, Funk, and Electronic music. Brand New Heavies - Brand New Heavies is a British band that was formed in 1985 and is still active today. They are known for their blend of Acid Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Their most popular tracks include “Dream On Dreamer” and “Midnight at the Oasis”. Corduroy - Corduroy is an Acid Jazz band that was formed in 1991. They are known for their eclectic sound, which incorporates elements of Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Some of their most popular tracks include “London England” and “Mini”. The James Taylor Quartet - The James Taylor Quartet is a British Acid Jazz band that was formed in 1987. They are known for their unique sound, which incorporates elements of Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Some of their most popular tracks include “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “The Theme From Starsky and Hutch”. The Bahama Soul Club - The Bahama Soul Club is a German Acid Jazz band that was formed in 2008. They are known for their unique blend of Jazz, Funk, and Latin music. Some of their most popular tracks include “Bossa Bop” and “But Rich Rhythms”. The Dietrich Strause Trio - The Dietrich Strause Trio is an Acid Jazz band that was formed in 2012. They are known for their unique sound, which incorporates elements of Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Some of their most popular tracks include “The Messiah Is Here” and “Back of the Classroom”. The New Mastersounds - The New Mastersounds is a British Acid Jazz band that was formed in 1999. They are known for their unique blend of Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Some of their most popular tracks include “Nervous” and “One Note Brown”. The Greyboy Allstars - The Greyboy Allstars is an Acid Jazz band that was formed in 1993. They are known for their unique sound, which incorporates elements of Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Some of their most popular tracks include “What Happened to TV?” and “Jungle Strut”. Nightmares on Wax - Nightmares on Wax is a British Acid Jazz band that was formed in 1988. They are known for their unique sound, which incorporates elements of Jazz, Soul, and Electronic music. Some of their most popular tracks include “You Wish” and “Les Nuits”.

1. "The Brand New Heavies" - The Brand New Heavies 2. "People Get Ready" - The James Taylor Quartet 3. "Worlds Apart" - Incognito 4. "Northern Lights" - Snowboy 5. "The New Groove: The Blue Note Remix Project, Volume 1" - Various Artists 6. "Road to the Sun" - Ronny Jordan 7. "The K&D Sessions" - Kruder & Dorfmeister 8. "Selected Works" - DJ Food 9. "Head West" - Corduroy 10. "Hello Nasty" - Beastie Boys 11. "Talkin' Loud 1990 - 1994" - Various Artists 12. "The Return of the Space Cowboy" - Jamiroquai 13. "Jazzanova Remixes" - Jazzanova 14. "Life Goes On" - Fertile Ground 15. "The Remixes" - Brixtonboogie 16. "Blue Moods" - Carleen Anderson 17. "One Step Beyond" - Madness 18. "The Mercury Lounge Sessions" - Various Artists 19. "Travelling Without Moving" - Jamiroquai 20. "The Finest" - SOS Band 21. "The Remix Sessions" - The Gentle People 22. "Terrapin" - Bonobo 23. "Come Away With Me" - Norah Jones 24. "Come to My Garden" - Minnie Riperton 25. "Thru You Too" - Kutiman

There have been several books written on the subject of Acid Jazz, offering various perspectives and insights into the genre's history, influence, and cultural significance. One of the most notable of these is "The Rough Guide to Jazz" by Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, and Brian Priestley. In this book, the authors describe Acid Jazz as "a kind of dance music which mixes jazz with funk and fusion, and often with hip hop and house music as well." They also note that Acid Jazz "has been a major force in popularizing jazz and bringing it to a wider audience." Another book that discusses Acid Jazz is "The Jazz Café: Memories and Recipes" by Johnny Homer. In this book, the author shares his experiences of running the Jazz Café, a renowned live music venue in London that played an important role in the development of Acid Jazz. Homer writes, "Acid Jazz became the sound of the Jazz Café. It was like nothing else at the time...It was the perfect combination of musicianship, funk, and soulful beats." Some notable quotes about Acid Jazz come from musicians, critics, and fans alike. One such quote is from the Acid Jazz pioneer and DJ Gilles Peterson, who said, "Acid Jazz has always been about fusion, about mixing genres, and about taking jazz forward into exciting new territories." This sentiment is echoed by the musician and producer Mark Ronson, who described Acid Jazz as "the first genre to really mix jazz with electronic beats and create something completely new." Critics have also weighed in on the genre, with some praising its innovation and others criticizing its commercialization. Writing for The Guardian, Marcus O'Dair described Acid Jazz as "a vital force in the late 80s and early 90s, when jazz was not only again relevant but actually cool." However, he also noted that "the label was soon applied to anything with a saxophone riff or a hint of funk, and it began to lose its meaning." Similarly, in his book "The Jazz Republic," historian Travis Jackson argues that Acid Jazz "was never a perfect fusion of jazz and other forms, but an attempt to commodify jazz for a wider audience."

The social context of Acid Jazz was shaped by the socio-political and economic conditions in the UK during the 1980s. Thatcherism, the conservative policies of the UK government led by Margaret Thatcher, led to high levels of unemployment, poverty, and social inequalities in the country. The youth culture of the time developed as a response to these challenges, characterized by a rebellion against the establishment. Acid Jazz was part of this new wave of music that brought together young people from different social backgrounds. Acid Jazz emerged amidst a cultural context of multiculturalism and diversity. The UK had become a melting pot of different cultures, thanks to the influx of immigrants from different regions of the world. The immigrant communities brought with them their rich cultural heritage, which blended with British culture to create a unique cultural mix. Acid Jazz was a reflection of this multiculturalism and incorporated various elements of different cultures. The technological context of Acid Jazz was shaped by the emergence of new digital technologies like samplers, drum machines, and synthesisers. These new technologies facilitated the creation of new sounds and rhythms that were not possible using traditional instruments. Acid Jazz artists embraced these new technologies and incorporated them into their music to create a unique sound. Several record labels helped to popularize Acid Jazz. One such label was Gilles Peterson's Acid Jazz Records, which was founded in 1987. The label was instrumental in promoting Acid Jazz and other similar genres like soul and funk. Other notable record labels include Talkin' Loud, which was founded by Gilles Peterson and Norman Jay and championed Acid Jazz, and StreetSounds, which specialized in dance music and hip hop. Several journalists and other figures helped to promote Acid Jazz. One such figure was Gilles Peterson, who was a radio presenter and DJ. Peterson championed Acid Jazz and other genres like soul, funk, and rare groove on his radio programs. Other notable figures include Andy Weatherall, a DJ, and producer who was instrumental in promoting Acid Jazz in the UK, and Rob Gallagher, the leader of Galliano, one of the most popular Acid Jazz bands of the time.