spiz
Joined: Jun 18, 2004 Posts: 90 Location: chicago, IL
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:34 am Post subject:
2-step/IDM/drumNbass/acidbreaks/nu-jazz/junglebop/freespazz Subject description: stylistic differences and fusions...live techno-oriented electro-acousticism |
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It seems there are a few camps of live uptempo techno out.
I'm still trying to workout, for myself, the differences in these styles I listed in the subject, but one thing that is clear is that this genre of electro-acoustic techno has many possibilities.
2-Step:::a mid-tempo electronic style that seems to
imitate a dj set of drumNbass, with a slightly smoother edge.
The bands I've heard doing this use a 50-50 mix of electronic and acoustic gear to get the right sounds. the feeling:::repetitive, soothing,
smooth, and at times dark. electronic sounding
IDM:::very few bands have really tried this, as a full band...
probably because of the fact that IDM is a loose term, and although
it's been technically around for well over a decade, it can move
inbetween ambient downtempo/sparse to full-fledged glitchy
uptempo rough. Many live techno bands declare themselves
IDM incongruence to electronica, DNB, and jungle but since
the term is vague (intelligent dance music), the sound within
these bands is there at times. IDM seems like a glorified term
for something that is nearly impossible to dance to, whether
having no pulse (just sounds-ambient) or polyrhythmic pulse,
that makes for a skitzophrenic sound...ultimately still feeling
calm (in some fashion). So IDM has a scattered yet cohesive
feel, sparking the intellect, and not necessarily made to dance
to (much like bebop was in the 40's as compared to the Swing
bands and Orchestras of the 30's). The programmed
drums and bass of this style can be so complicated on record
(if imitating the trendsetters), ie squarepusher-autechre-aphex
twin, that drummers (it seems) are still figuring out ways of
incorporating the live element with a very complicated sampled,
and programmed sound. more on this in years to come, i suppose
as drummers evolve.
DrumNBass:::live dnb bands usually stick pretty much to the
formula. The feel is monotonous yet tight. the drummer is
fueled by endless hi-hat and snare interplay with highly punctuated
and solid bassdrum. Bands that do this style tend to imitate the
formulas of the genre, usually to a tee...however, being that
live techno has no boundries and it is ultimately organic, not a
click of the space bar on a laptop...bands tend to use parts of this
formula incongruence with other styles...MC's are a big part of
this style too. DrillNbass is an offshoot of this style, but being a
jungalist myself on drumz, proves to be a measure of stamina and
might. lightning bolt and hella's drummers (although more punk)
seem to remind me of programmed drillNbass. Gabba is yet again
another offshoot...the programming of Atari Teenage Riot is a
perfect example. The modern drummer that attempts to play
this style effectively incorporates drum pad electronics, and loops
of 200+bpm hihat motifs...some of the overlapping rhythms are
best done with several drummers. not impossible, but difficult.
The day i witness a truly great gabba/drillNbass drummer will
be the day my mission is done, and I can either sitback and
watch while crying/laughing, or lay my headdown and die...
Jungle:::jungle is interesting to listen to and play because it
takes from the uptempo feel of drumNbass but plays around
with the rhythm in an interesting way. fragmented drumming, huge
bass, fun to dance to, (not straight like dnb). Many jungle djs
use reggae and dub sidestepping to fuse the vocal element to
the fragmented and infectious beats. thus many live jungle
bands (or bands that incorporate jungle) sample or use live
vocalists (skibadee and roni size are great examples, although
more drumNbass technically). Jungle is fun to play because
of its close association with its roots in reggae and thus the
drummer can interchange between 190bpm fragmented break
to a quarter/half time dub, and then go back again. If one is
imitating (solely) jungle ranks amongst the most exciting with
the innate feel of morphing complicated beat sequences and phat bass
that fills the space, moves the room.
Acidbreaks:::downtempo drumming styles, lush feel, tight,
simple, atmospheric feel, and sometimes uses female vocals.
many major live techno bands incorporate this sound...one of
my favorites is big in japan (a lake trout offshoot from baltimore).
for those not in the know of the drumming of mike lowry and
the trio's uplifting, minimal approach to acidbreaks (whatever you
want to call it...downtempo)...you should hit me up, and I'll make
a copy of the cd they released around 1999. others I've heard
mimic bands like dj shadow, lamb, tricky, portishead (sometimes
with vocals...).
Nu-jazz:::seems to be a Nu term for a more underground version
of smooth jazz, smooth afro-beat, and smart house (ie St Germaine).
my parents would like "Nu-jazz" and so do the kids at Sonotheque
for a large majority of their dance nites there. this is a global term
for smooth yet progressive club music, that's not limited solely to
the 4 on the floor of house, although sometimes it sounds like house.
more refined, more fused elements in the mix from world musics,
and the wide world of sampled sound.
Junglebop:::a new form of live techno, bringing together jazz, freejazz,
idm, and jungle. bebop+jungle. uptempo, undanceable, for listening.
firey, horns, jungle drumming, jazz instrumentation...partial straight
swing with breakbeat. originated in chicago. samples from vinyl are
encouraged.
of course i am just throwing loose terms of style down on the thread.
I encourage open talk about bands that touch on these styles or
that combine them in different ways.
One of the most beautiful thing about this general style is that
other more established chains of musical thought can be brought
together...such as mixing with punk, hardcore, metal, grindcore,
latin, industrial, hiphop, indie, dub, reggae, mathrock, christ...whatever the heart fancies.
talk to me about the possibilities...I've only summarized in a nutshell.
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_________________ "jazz isn't dead, you just think it iz!" |
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spiz
Joined: Jun 18, 2004 Posts: 90 Location: chicago, IL
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:13 am Post subject:
i forgot about freespazz Subject description: freespazz:::what iz it? |
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Freespazz is another Chicago-derived term. Although
quasi witty in its practical usage of mixing terms, it serves
its purpose...this is an improv jazz-derived music that brings in
elements of both jungle/drillnbass/idm, punk, hardcore, noise,
in a general melting pot of hi-NRG molten groove oriented
shakeup. Freespazz is the complete opposite of the refined
english take on jungle/dnb music production...the crap ain't smooth
anymore with freespazz...raw, gritty, in your face, and
with live instruments, and electronics, but mostly acoustic.
very few bands touch on this style. it is new.
and is happening in chicago...SPIZM is the first to
push "freespazz" and drop the terminology. live upright
bass/electric/loops and jungle drumming/sampler
http://www.myspace.com/spizm
bands such as hella, and lightning bolt (a few other load records bands
as well) are in the vein. perhaps one day the name freespazz
will flourish, for now, it happens in chicago. _________________ "jazz isn't dead, you just think it iz!" |
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