Is disco the ONLY creative pop music?

**daviddiebel** · May 23rd, 2003, 01:32 PM

Since I've started listening to disco music again, I've come to a realization--there's almost nothing being produced today that is originally creative and melodically inspiring. Some of my favorite songs from recent times, I've come to realize are simply "samples" of earlier disco songs.

Such as Armand Van Helden's "You Don't Even Know Me" is reproduced from a Carrie Lucas song. Even the only Lil Kim song I love "Big Momma Thang" is taken from a Sylvester song! (Although Sylvester's song doesn't have the great references to "takin' it in the butt" that Kim's does!) Justin Timberlake's doing it, everyone is. Sampling, that is...

My question is, will there ever be return to creativity in pop music? Or, is it as I suspect: The music industry is determined to keep costs down, don't want to pay studio musicians, and prefer to churn out variations of existing productions? I fear this is the case.

It's definitely true that straight-up, melodic disco music, complete with strings and horns, would do very well today. The problem is that it seems no one is producing it! Alcazar? Sampled from Chic, Change, etc. Please let me know if there is any actually new disco music out there...

**markydefad** · May 23rd, 2003, 01:43 PM

You've hit on the TRUTH that the purveyors of today's "DANCE MUSIC" are NOT musicians. They SAMPLE cause they can't write or create music. They are technicians who can work knobs and lift basslines, drumbeats, instrumental passages...and repeat them over and over and over and get rich in the process. Without the MUSIC of the past to steal, they would have nothing to add to their computerized drumbeats.

"I never thought It would come to this-- What's it all about, Alfie?" :roll:

**daviddiebel** · May 23rd, 2003, 05:03 PM

I think my original post may have been too harsh. When I first was buying music, it was house in '89 or so, and I DO think a lot of that actually was original and had some spirit to it, especially "Chicago house." It also seems to be the case that in Britain one can more easily find new disco-type music, that is even fairly original--it's just that I can't find out where to hear any! I like Joey Negro's stuff that I've heard, but again, cannot find the songs that I want online, except in vinyl. I guess since a lot of the old stuff I like isn't on CD yet, I better get a turntable...

**markydefad** · May 23rd, 2003, 05:20 PM

And I stand by my tirade. No backtracking here. :P

**daviddiebel** · May 23rd, 2003, 05:22 PM

true enough that I finally realized that to hear the music I love, I absolutely must buy a turntable. I think I'll go buy some records today!

**QUINNY** · May 23rd, 2003, 06:24 PM

If you're looking for true imagination, emotion, blood, guts, wind and all you must listen to some Jazz, especially live. It is truly the most soulful music there is. Those guys really give it 110% feeling and they play the same tune differently every time they blow. I think it's interesting how many Disco lovers have grown into Jazz, now that they are older.
Forget Coca-Cola, Jazz is the real thing.

**discodoc** · May 23rd, 2003, 10:33 PM

Markydefad, I love your writing style! It is obvious that you know how to get a discussion going... I definitely have to disagree with your coments (and you were probably hoping that someone would!). Although samples, remakes & remixes may be used frequently today, that does not make the sound of today any less creative, nor does it disqualify it from being "music." Producers of dance music today have to be EXTREMELY creative and innovative in order to get any attention whatsoever. Back in the 70's, dance was mainstream. One of the theories as to why the sudden decline of disco was that it became too "cookie cutter." We just need to face the facts: Music is highly cyclical. What is "in" today WILL be "out" tommorrow. But there is no harm in recycling, up to a point. Think about it: even disco was not entirely original... not even close! A very high % of disco's biggest hits were remakes: "Everlasting Love," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Knock On Wood," and many, many others. Also, think of "A Fifth of Beethoven," "Star Wars," "A Night On Disco Mountain" and others which used others' compositions and reworked them, and I consider them to be HIGHLY creative works on their own merit! As for modern original disco, what about Jamiroquai, Modjo, Stardust, Kylie Minogue and Daft Punk, just to name a few? "Original" disco is certainly NOT dead! :)

**disco1999** · May 23rd, 2003, 11:13 PM

Let's face it guys ... we are gettin' old and grumpy, our perception of today club music is definitely different of what we used to appreciate in the 70's and early 80's.

Just like we do today, today's teens will say in 30 years that early year 2000's trance, techno, synthpop, house music etc used to be much better than the music of the next generation.

I know some of you wont agree with my point of view.

**K-Bee** · May 24th, 2003, 01:28 AM

If you're looking for true imagination, emotion, blood, guts, wind and all you must listen to some Jazz, especially live. It is truly the most soulful music there is. Those guys really give it 110% feeling and they play the same tune differently every time they blow. I think it's interesting how many Disco lovers have grown into Jazz, now that they are older.
Forget Coca-Cola, Jazz is the real thing.

NUFF SAID, Quinny. After being a jazz lover for 15 years, I couldn't agree more. It is the element of improvisation that pushes music forward. Jazz music will definetely be around when all the other styles (disco included) are long forgotten.

**Paulo** · May 24th, 2003, 06:25 AM

I don't pay any attention to jazz, but I have to recognize it is high-standard music.

To me, in the pop field, the best music in the world was created in the 60's (pop and soul) and in the 70's (soul, specially philly soul and disco). The 80's was the last great decade for music (Sade, Pet Shop Boys, Swing Out Sister, Kate Bush, Prefab Sprout...).

90's music... I don't pay much attention to house, but I have to recognize it is far ahead than any other 90's musical trends such as indie rock.

**efunk_adelic** · May 30th, 2003, 03:03 AM

I'll have to agree on a the creativity on today's music.
Not very many titles comes to mind from today & veteran acts, or groups, we can say really did a good job.

Dido (2000) had a fantastic CD. Although I would like to hear more real instruments .... when is her new release coming out!!! :roll:

Lucy Pearl (2001) - Had some cool songs on it. I think the hype for this CD made it a must buy when it first came out.
It had about 3 songs that you'd be able to jam to, but 2 months go by.. you are already to take it out of your collection in your car, to make room for something else, because all of a sudden the CD is already too old & worn out.

Koffee Brown (2001) - Had a great song which I still like today, but it's the only cool song on the CD "After Party"

And I also am getting more confused when I get request for songs during shows I do.... somebody will ask "could you play the song by Ja Rule w/Eminem, Lil' Kim, Ashanti & Jennifer Lopez & introducing -----" (I hope you guys understood my point there). :P This trend is the only way to get a new artist on the map these days. What a shame :roll: I agree that record companies aren't taking much chance on new talent, because they can't aford to do it.