History
Downtempo is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is characterized by a slow tempo, relaxed melodies, and a focus on rhythm and mood. Downtempo is often associated with a "chill-out" or lounge atmosphere, and has been influenced by a wide range of musical genres including jazz, funk, soul, and hip hop.
The beginnings of downtempo can be traced back to the emergence of ambient music in the 1970s. Ambient music was a genre that was intended to create an atmosphere or mood, rather than to be listened to actively. Artists such as Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream were influential in the development of ambient music and its use of synthesizers and electronic soundscapes.
In the 1980s, a subgenre of ambient known as "ambient house" emerged, which incorporated elements of dance music into the ambient sound. This led to the development of downtempo, which took the ambient house sound and slowed it down even further, adding more emphasis on rhythm and more of an emphasis on instrumental melody.
One of the earliest examples of downtempo is the album "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" by Aphex Twin, which was released in 1992. The album featured slowed-down beats, ambient soundscapes, and a focus on texture and atmosphere rather than on melody or traditional song structure. Other early pioneers of downtempo include The Orb, Future Sound of London, and Massive Attack.
Throughout the 1990s, downtempo continued to grow in popularity and influence. The genre was embraced by DJs and producers in the electronic music scene, and many clubs and bars began to host "chill-out" rooms or lounges where downtempo music would be played.
In the early 2000s, downtempo evolved to incorporate more acoustic instrumentation and live instruments. Artists like Thievery Corporation and Zero 7 incorporated live percussion, guitar, and horns into their music, creating a more organic and natural sound. The incorporation of these live elements helped to solidify the connections between downtempo and other genres like jazz and world music.
Today, downtempo continues to be a popular genre, with new artists emerging and experimenting with different elements of the sound. The genre has also had an influence on other styles of electronic music, with elements of downtempo appearing in everything from house to drum and bass.
Notable artists
Bonobo: Known for his atmospheric and emotive instrumentals, Bonobo has been a staple in the downtempo scene for over a decade. His music blends ambient textures, world music, and jazz influences to create a unique sound that's both relaxing and energizing.
Tycho: With dreamy, shoegaze-inspired melodies and lush production, Tycho creates music that transports listeners to otherworldly realms. His style incorporates elements of post-rock, ambient, and electronic music to create a signature sound that's both soothing and invigorating.
Thievery Corporation: This Washington D.C. based duo have been active since the mid-90s, blending world music with elements of trip-hop and dub to create a sound that's both exotic and groovy. Their live shows are known for their immersive visuals and political messaging.
Zero 7: With their soulful vocals, downtempo beats, and jazzy instrumentation, Zero 7 has been a major player in the downtempo scene since the early 2000s. Their music has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and advertisements.
Emancipator: Emancipator's music is instantly recognizable thanks to his use of live instruments and classical samples. With an ear for lush melodies and intricate rhythms, his music has been described as "downtempo meets trip-hop."
Boards of Canada: Scottish brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin have been making eerie, psychedelic ambient music as Boards of Canada since the mid-90s. Their sound incorporates elements of hip-hop, IDM, and glitch into a unique sonic landscape that's both unsettling and fascinating.
DJ Shadow: With his groundbreaking 1996 album "Endtroducing.....," DJ Shadow helped to lay the groundwork for modern downtempo and trip-hop. His music blends samples from a wide range of genres into complex, cinematic soundscapes.
Nightmares on Wax: Leeds-based producer George Evelyn has been making music under the name Nightmares on Wax since the early 90s. His style draws on elements of hip-hop, funk, and soul, creating a laid-back vibe perfect for late-night listening.
Kruder & Dorfmeister: This Austrian production team is famous for their 1998 album "The K&D Sessions," which helped to popularize downtempo and trip-hop in the mainstream. Their music blends dub, jazz, and hip-hop influences to create a sound that's both smooth and eclectic.
Massive Attack: This legendary Bristol-based trip-hop group has been active since the late 80s. With their moody, brooding sounds and socially-conscious lyrics, Massive Attack has inspired countless artists in the downtempo genre and beyond. Their landmark 1991 album "Blue Lines" is considered a classic of the genre.
Broader context
In his book, "The Ambient Century," Brian Eno writes, "Ambient music is intended to induce calm and a space to think. It must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting." Eno is widely considered one of the pioneers of ambient music, a sub-genre of Downtempo.
In "The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries," Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton suggest that Downtempo represents a shift from the dancefloor to the chill-out zone. They write, "Downtempo records were no longer simply a way to fill a warm-up set; they had become a genre in their own right, and the lifestyle that went with them had taken on a certain cachet."
In his book, "Electric Eden," Rob Young writes about the origins of ambient music, which he describes as a "gaseous, amorphous, non-dominating music that could be enjoyed without engagement, the sonic equivalent of soft lighting." Young suggests that the emergence of Downtempo in the 1990s was a reaction to the high-intensity club culture and a return to more relaxed, low-key vibes.
In "The BeatTips Manual," Amir Said describes Downtempo as a "sultry, swanky sound" and emphasizes the importance of creating a "vibe" in this genre. He writes, "The best Downtempo music is a mood enhancer. It's a soundtrack for relaxation and introspection."
Simon Reynolds, in his book "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture," suggests that Downtempo is a "subgenre of trip-hop that emphasized a loungey, downtempo vibe over hip hop's beats and rapping." Reynolds notes that Downtempo was associated with "coffee-table records," which were often released on experimental labels like Warp and Ninja Tune.
In an interview with Resident Advisor, electronic musician Kieran Hebden, who performs under the name Four Tet, describes his work as "Downtempo dance music." He says, "I think dance music has always had that lullaby quality, that almost Downtempo, horizontal ambient quality. It's one of the things that attracts me to it."
The British newspaper The Guardian has also written extensively about Downtempo, with one article describing it as "a beat-heavy form of downtempo electronica that often plays second or third fiddle to the dominant dancefloor vibe." In another article, the newspaper suggests that Downtempo represents "a sublime, immersive world of sound that can transport the listener to another place and time."
In "Endtroducing... 33 1/3," music critic Eliot Wilder suggests that Downtempo represents a kind of post-modernism in music. He writes, "What Downtempo does is take other people's music, manipulate it, and make something completely new from it. It's an art form that celebrates its own artificiality and self-consciousness."
In their book, "The Globalization of Music in History," Mark Hijleh and Anne Shreffler suggest that Downtempo is an example of how the globalization of music has led to the merging of different genres and styles. They write, "Downtempo is a fusion of diverse styles: electronic, trip-hop, jazz, and world music. It is an example of how globalization has led to the hybridization of musical genres, creating new forms and sounds."
The genre was born out of various social and cultural factors of the 1990s. At that time, the music industry was flooded with electronic music, such as techno and house, which were characterized by their upbeat, energetic, and fast-paced sound. However, there was a growing need for music that was more relaxing and soothing, especially in venues such as bars, cafes, and restaurants. This culture of background music was the perfect breeding ground for the emergence of Downtempo as a genre.
Moreover, the rise of trip-hop in the 1990s played a significant role in the genre's development. Trip-hop, which combined elements of hip-hop, jazz, and electronic music, pioneered a slower tempo and emphasized atmosphere and mood. Artists such as Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky helped popularize trip-hop, and their influence on the development of Downtempo is evident in the genre's emphasis on a mellow and relaxed sound.
Technological advancements also played a crucial role in the emergence of Downtempo. Advances in synth and sampling technology allowed artists to experiment with different sounds and create more complex and layered productions. Additionally, the advent of the internet allowed for the dissemination of the genre to a global audience, making it accessible to a wider range of listeners.
Notably, the development of the genre was closely tied to several key record labels and journalists. In the 1990s, labels such as Ninja Tune, Warp, and Mo' Wax were instrumental in promoting Downtempo as a genre and helped to establish the careers of pioneering artists such as Bonobo, Air, and DJ Shadow.
Journalists and critics also played a crucial role in advocating for the genre and helped to shape its identity and aesthetic. For example, the influential UK music magazine NME heavily promoted the genre and featured articles on artists such as Boards of Canada and Lamb. Moreover, in the United States, music journalists like Simon Reynolds championed the genre, highlighting its significance and artistic merit.