Another view on disco

[FunkyChris]

Surfing the web I found a quiet 'interesting' site:

A comparative study of changes in bass drum sounds in dance music from 70s disco to 90s post-rave house

[garrybcoston]

Surfing the web I found a quiet 'interesting' site:

A comparative study of changes in bass drum sounds in dance music from 70s disco to 90s post-rave house

Very interesting article, a little too technical but good and interesting to know.

What we must keep in mind though, regarding bass drums use and ryhthms from the 70's to now is "technology." The first mechanical or synthetic drums used were neanthedral compared to now. And don't forget that a lot of disco, or even the majority, up until the later portion of disco's life, was performed by the "human factor" and not by machines.

This is evident in the sound of disco in its infancy, and when it had matured and got old near it's quick death in early 1980. When you listen to disco records in the early 70's like Love to Love you Baby, Disco Inferno, Soul Makosa, or Gloria Gaynor's non-stop disco record, and then listen to late 70's disco produced by Boris Midney, Alec R. Costandinos, Cerrone, Peter Jacques Band, etc., it is evident that the increased use of new technology, that is machines to drive the bass and drums were used.

All in all, the beat (bass drums) got thicker, deeper, more definitive and more crisper as time went on, not to mention a non-wavering of the beat, that is, a steady beat never falling off time or off track which is common when using the human element (i.e., a drummer).

This brings us to the post disco era, 80's, 90's, and the mellenium, where you have techno, dance, house, garage, industrial, etc. The mechanical/digital bass drum is "THE" driving force in modern/contemporary disco or dance. I would even go out on a limb to say that 80% or more of the music is geared, driven and centered around "the beat." Therefore, the use of mechanical/digital bass drums is essential in the composition of modern disco/dance music. In addition, the majority of this music is composed with no vocalist, just the beat, and a few keyboard chords and samplings here and there.

Nothing, I believe, can or will take the place of the human element and spirit in music (being a musician), however the use of these mechanic and/or digital technologies/machines certainly gives you more options, musically, at your disposal in addition to a much better sound overall.

Garry

[neonlights]

The technical stuff goes way over my head, too. I'll probably have to read it a few more times to make sense out of some of it. Nonetheless though, a very interesting link.. Thanks for posting!

I found that comparison at the middle of the article with the Stereo Analyzer to be especially telling, with everything on the 1995 track was focused on the centre as opposed to "Love To Love You.." which is much more spread out..

[musiquelover]

Thanks for providing this link. It's an interesting read.

Anyone else thought that the 1985 sound was too "technical"? I much prefer "Samba Magic" which actually is one of the best latin house tracks ever.

[FunkyChris]

That's what I think, too.

Music of the 80s is definitely much too technical. The disco music of the 70s was 'handmade'.