Acid Jazz

Acid Jazz is known as one of the music which gained popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. Acid Jazz emerge in the late 1980s and it becomes one of the musical branches derived from Jazz genre. Coined in the 1980s by a DJ named Gilles Peterson, Acid Jazz steadily disseminates as one of the favorites during its popular era. It is firstly made in a small recording label based in London by Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson and for three months since its first releases, Acid Jazz grows significantly in London as the alternative music in London clubs. Moreover, during 90s, this music boomed, disseminates from Europe to Asia, creating its own fans and listener. The remarkable growth of Acid Jazz during a few years is not without reason. Its emergence creates a fresh, dance music yet still having the classy touch of Jazz. So, the next arises question is, “what’s so unique about the Acid Jazz?”

Differ from the ordinary style, roughly, Acid Jazz combines many African American musical influence into one song, creating its own idiosyncratic style. Hence, it can be considered as hybrid music. It has a wide combination of music, but often include the dance music, hip-hop, funk, and combine it with jazz music. Usually, the hip-hop influence can be seen in the vocal section of the song. While usually, the funk style is recognized from the syncopated rhythmic interaction between the musicians. Also, the chromatic chord sequences which usually found in the post-bop jazz are also quite easy to recognize. Additionally, one of the most exciting things about this music is it utilize the Jazz improvisation in the song as the typical jazz music usually do. Means that, it hasn’t lost the “jazz” as its foundation, but having the new face as a fascinating combination between Jazz music and others.

Not only the music, Acid Jazz also amalgamates the fashion and drug use to emphasize the influence and nostalgic feeling for the 1960s and 70s, when the musicianship is served as the core to assess the excellent dance music instead of using the more modern technology. Although some of the Acid Jazz music include the electronic composition, mostly the Acid Jazz musicians play it live. Furthermore, in the live performance, many Acid Jazz players also show their jazz improvisation skills as the part of their concert.

Interested in Acid Jazz? I will give you my personal recommendation. If you really eager to hear the band in the early appearance of Acid Jazz, try to listen to Galliano songs, for example: Frederic Lies Still. This is the first music which is recorded in the Acid Jazz indie label debut. Lastly, if you want to hear a more funk-rock style, try to enjoy the Mother Earth. Enjoy the band, enjoy your playlist.