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Pop dance Some background
information
TECHNO/TECHNO-HOUSE
The
term "TECHNO" has come to
mean many things to many people. The term was first cloned by Kraftwerk from Germany to describe their unique use of technology in
electronic and computerized instruments while making contemporary Pop Music
As
techno evolved, new terminology was required to make sense of all its
variants. In time it stood for what now refers to "INDUSTRIAL"
or "ELECTRONIC BODY MUSIC"
and later still, for what is now considered the "HOUSE, the sound originated in Detroit and Chicago in the
mid-'80s. Pioneered by
Juan Atkins, Kenny Larkin and Mike "Hitman" Wilson techno has
evolved from cutting edge underground ('84 to '89); to undisputed ruler of the
American rave scene ('89 to '92), to mainstream "Top 40" acceptance.
The commercial success of techno has also led to its fall from grace in the
underground scene, being replaced by trance, progressive house, and the strong
resurgence of true house. Today the term "TECHNO"
has come to mean fusion of all these styles and now
"TECHNO" is the short from "TECHNO-HOUSE".
Throughout
all the phases and trends and ups and downs that TECHNO has endured, one man
maintained his position as an instigator and innovator and is now consider the
godfather of the TECHNO movement - Talla
2XLC. born and Raised in Frankfurt, Germany, he founded the first club
exclusively devoted to TECHNO, conceived Frontpage
Magazine, and launched, with Zoth
Ommog. He has lived by the TECHNO motto" "Forcing The Future", like no other DJ before or since.
Never ego-driven or spotlight-hungry he became a quiet but enormously
influential mastermind behind every aspect of TECHNO's evolution. Although the
seeds of TECHNO were planted in Frankfurt's Rhein - Main district, it soon
spread internationally through 80's and 90's. Now, Tall 2XLC is still in top
form and widely regarded as the creative genius behind TECHNO-HOUSE current
popularity.
Attributes:
Hard synth-keyboard riffs, pounding Belgian style bass, often combining male
rap and female vocals and always delivering the most intense, frenetic energy
possible. 130 to 150 BPM. Examples: L.A. Style, Moby, Fierce Ruling Diva,
Tyrell Corp., Robotico Rejecto, Klangwerk, Quadrophonia, many of the releases
on Radikal on Bounce labels, and everything from
Rotterdam.
HOUSE
This
is by far the most popular dance format. So much so, that there exists over a
dozen related branches including New York dub, Chicago, New Jersey, Miami,
garage, tribal, acid... in fact, almost every other format touches on house at
some point because the steady 4/4 time signature beat is virtually universal
in dance music. Attributes: the beat, keyboards, home synthesizers, male
vocals, female vocals at all... add any or all. What you add defines what kind
of house it is but what makes it house is it the beat 110 to 128 BPM.
Examples: lnner City, MK, Ralphie Rosario, Robin S., and anything on the Murk;
Eightball or Strictly Rhythm labels.
GARAGE
Garage
started in New York's club “Paradise Garage” located in Greenwich Village
and thus term: "Garage" music was used to describe the style of
music that was played there. It is the home of the infamous DJ Larry Levan.
This style of music is faithful to the old disco style and keeps it alive. Its
characteristics are a lot of bass, vocals, keyboards and sometimes, even
violins. These days Garage is popular in the UK and is slowly spreading across
the European continent. Many other types have already evolved such as speed
garage, acid garage and I’ve even heard of demon garage (now what is that?).
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