After a few years of experimentation with the new studio gear the first House record was pressed in 1984; Jesse Saunders “On and On”. Being an underground movement, this record and the millions after it were not available at mainstream record stores. You had to search the city for these tracks at places like Gramaphone Records, Importes, INC and JR’s Music Shop. Once the first record was pressed, the mutation of the genre began to explode quickly creating sub genres which is a trend that continues to this day, making Electronic Music one of the most rapidly evolving styles of music. It is a world without limits. Your imagination is the boundary. Technology is your muse and guide. I heard a quote the other day that sums it up perfectly:
“As for the future of Electronic Music, it seems quite obvious to me its unique resources guarantee its use, because it has shifted the boundaries of music away from the limitations of the acoustical instrument or the performer’s coordinating capabilities to the almost infinite limitations of the electronic instrument. The new limitations are the human ones of perception.” – Milton Babbitt
The first sub genre of House was “Acid”; an overdriven and distorted version that was fairly aggressive as well as psychedelic and really caught fire in Europe. This offshoot laid the foundation for Trance as well as Techno. Where House was centered around dancing and a great groove, these genres were meant to be moody and attack the senses of the club goer. Deep House was slower and influenced by Jazz.
- Essential Mix: Acid House – DJ Pierre Essential Mix
Another reason why House caught fire in Europe was due to police activity in the States. By 1988 House music sales were down due to police cracking down on after hours club nights and underground parties, while the sale of these records were almost triple in Europe. Danny Rampling, a pioneer of the Rave culture opened England’s first House club known as Shoom. However, legislation caught up with Europe as well, making after hours clubs illegal not long after Shoom was opened. This wouldn’t stop Europe from raging, as promoters figured out a truly underground method of throwing these parties. If the police were to raid the club, you would have another location set up to bring the party to; a warehouse, a hotel, and even out in the countryside. This was the birth of Rave culture, but that’s for the next installment of Wyllys and the World Party.
- Essential Mix: Deep House – Ben Watts
Homework –
Here is a list of some pioneers of House music you must seek out:
Frankie Knuckles
Chip E
Larry Heard
Ron Hardy
Jesse Saunders
DJ Pierre
7 Responses
Thanks Wade! as always. Love the Art on this segment too. I’ve listened to Wade’s other Hidden Track offerings numerous times. Great music, on the party “tip”…
Go Sox! Go Wade!
As an old grumpy fart (as I have been recently described), I am sadly under-informed about this musical orbit, thus this was a great and informative read!! – Please keep them coming. Totally informative, detailed and fun. That’s a rare trifecta. I used to avoid certain eateries because they were pumping House music. Perhaps I will give them and it another shot.