History
Garage House, a genre of house music with its roots in the early 1980s, has come a long way since its inception. Its origins can be traced back to the Paradise Garage nightclub in New York City, where legendary DJ Larry Levan played a key role in developing the sound.
The Paradise Garage, which operated from 1977 to 1987, was an influential nightclub in the development of dance music in the United States. It created a fusion of disco, soul, and funk music, and attracted a diverse crowd of music enthusiasts. Larry Levan was a resident DJ at the club, and his unique approach to DJing often involved playing extended versions of tracks, and creating unique mixes that highlighted the best elements of each song.
One of the most influential tracks of the genre is "Love Can't Turn Around" by Farley "Jackmaster" Funk and Darryl Pandy. Originally released in 1986 on the Trax Records label, the song was a huge hit and helped to establish Garage House as a mainstream genre. "Love Can't Turn Around" is characterized by its thumping bassline and catchy melody, which became signature features of the genre.
Garage House reached its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with artists such as Masters at Work and Kerri Chandler producing seminal tracks that are still regarded as classics by many fans of the genre. The genre's popularity began to wane as the electronic music scene in Europe began to take over in the mid-1990s, but it saw a resurgence in the early 2000s thanks to a new generation of producers who drew inspiration from its sound.
One of the most notable modern Garage House producers is DJ and producer Todd Edwards. Known for his use of sampling and distinctive vocal chops, Edwards has been instrumental in keeping the sound of Garage House relevant through the 2000s and into the present day.
Other Garage House producers of note include Joey Negro, Junior Jack, and Grant Nelson, who have all contributed to the evolution of the genre. While the sound of Garage House has continued to evolve over the years, its hallmarks remain the same - soulful vocals, thumping basslines, and catchy melodies that are designed to get people on the dancefloor.
Notable artists
Todd Terry: The "Godfather of House Music" is a New York native known for his pioneering contributions to the house genre. His work in the garage house scene, including the hit "Keep on Jumpin'" in 1996, continues to influence new artists.
Kerri Chandler: With a career spanning over three decades, the New Jersey-based producer and DJ is a pioneer of deep house and garage house. His work on labels such as King Street and Shelter Records has earned him a reputation as a tastemaker in the genre.
Sandy Rivera: Better known by his stage name Kings of Tomorrow, this New Jersey-born DJ has been creating soulful garage house tracks since the early '90s. His most popular hit "Finally" remains a staple in the genre.
Louie Vega: The New York native and co-founder of Masters at Work has been in the game for over 30 years. His work in the garage house scene, particularly his classic 1997 track "Elements of Life," has solidified his place in music history.
DJ Sneak: Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago, Sneak has been producing and DJing for over two decades. His unique blend of Chicago house and Latin rhythms has made him a heavyweight in the garage house scene.
Masters at Work: Made up of Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, Masters at Work are a Grammy-nominated duo responsible for some of the most beloved garage house tracks of all time. Their work on labels such as Nervous and MAW Records has helped define the genre.
Grant Nelson: This British DJ and producer has been making soulful garage house tracks since the '90s. His iconic remix of Janet Jackson's "Go Deep" and his work on Nice 'n' Ripe Records have kept him at the forefront of the genre.
Kerri "Kaoz" Chandler: The son of garage house pioneer Joe Smooth, Kerri "Kaoz" Chandler has gained a reputation as one of the greatest DJ/producers in the genre. His work on labels such as Large and Madhouse Records has contributed to the evolution of the sound.
Dennis Ferrer: The New Yorker is known for his soulful deep house sound, but he has made significant contributions to the garage house scene as well. His hit "Hey Hey" in 2009 was a commercial success and remains a favorite in the genre.
DJ Spen: Born in Baltimore, DJ Spen is a prolific producer and DJ in the garage house scene. His label Quantize Recordings has become a go-to for soulful, uplifting tracks that are guaranteed to get you on your feet.
Broader context
Several books have been written on the subject of Garage House, exploring its history and impact on electronic dance music. One such book is ‘Pump Up the Volume: A History of House Music’ by Sean Bidder, which traces the origins of Garage House from its roots in black and Latino clubs in Chicago and New York. The book provides an in-depth analysis of the musical structure and cultural significance of Garage House, referring to the genre as “the sound of resilience and hope in 1980s America”. The book also touches upon the political and social context of the genre’s emergence, such as the Reagan administration's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic.
Another notable book is ‘Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey’ by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. The book provides insight into the rise of Garage House in the UK and its impact on the clubbing scene. The book describes Garage House as one of the most important sub-genres of house music in the UK, stating that "Garage House was the icing on the cake for the UK underground, the final piece of the puzzle that had been forming since the end of the 1970s".
Notable quotes about Garage House include the late Frankie Knuckles, known as the Godfather of House, who said "Garage House is music that touches the soul. It's about the ups and downs of life, the struggles, the pain, the joy. It's about real emotions". His quote highlights the emotional and personal nature of Garage House, which is often reflected in the lyrics and vocals of the genre.
Similarly, fellow Garage House pioneer Tony Humphries has been quoted as saying "Garage House is the heartbeat of dance music. It's all about the melody, the harmony, and the soul. It's not just about the beats, the basslines, and the loops". This quote highlights the musicality of Garage House, which is often marked by complex piano riffs and vocal harmonies.
The emergence of Garage House was closely tied to the social and cultural experience of black and Latino communities in New York City during the 1980s. The early pioneers of the genre were DJs and musicians from these communities, who had grown up listening to disco and other dance music in the 1970s. Many of them had honed their skills in the underground dance clubs and discotheques of New York City, such as the Paradise Garage, where they had developed a unique sound and style.
Garage House was also shaped by the social phenomena of gentrification and white flight that were affecting New York City in the 1980s. As neighborhoods like Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and the Lower East Side began to attract wealthier, predominantly white residents, many black and Latino communities were forced to move out of their neighborhoods. This led to a sense of displacement and cultural alienation for many people, which was reflected in the music of Garage House.
The cultural context of Garage House was heavily influenced by the LGBTQ+ community in New York City, particularly the black and Latino queer communities. Many of the early pioneers of the genre were queer, including DJs like Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles, who played at the Paradise Garage and the Warehouse respectively. These clubs became safe havens for LGBTQ+ people in New York City, who could escape from the violence and prejudice they faced in their daily lives. Garage House music was a reflection of this cultural moment, with its uplifting, soulful sound and its inclusive message.
The technological context of Garage House was defined by the emergence of new electronic instruments and recording equipment. The early pioneers of the genre were experimenting with drum machines, synthesizers, and sequencers, which allowed them to create complex rhythms and melodies. At the same time, digital recording technology was becoming more accessible and affordable, which made it possible for independent record labels to produce and distribute their own music. This led to the emergence of a vibrant DIY culture around Garage House, with producers and DJs able to create and share their own music without the need for major labels or commercial studios.
Some of the most important record labels in the history of Garage House include West End Records, Salsoul Records, and Prelude Records. These labels were instrumental in shaping the sound and style of the genre, and they helped to launch the careers of many of the genre's most important figures. Other notable figures in the history of Garage House include journalists like Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton, who documented the rise of the genre in their book "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life", and DJs like David Mancuso, who organized the legendary Loft parties in New York City.