In the early 70s nightclubs began hiring DJs as an economical way of playing music tracks. DJs specialized in danceable tunes that could easily be done to – including four-on-the-floor bass drum beats with hi-hats playing on offbeats for easy dancing – leading to what would eventually become known as disco music.
Groups such as KC and the Sunshine Band and Earth, Wind and Fire became huge hits with their unique blend of jazz, funk, pop, Latino and African influences. Disco was especially appealing to gay audiences.
Afrobeat
At the height of disco, African musicians began producing unique versions of American sounds by fusing it with regional rhythms and musical styles from Africa, creating what would eventually become known as afrobeat – an irresistibly danceable mixture of funk, disco and rock music.
Afrobeat continues to have an influence on modern music. Influencers include Brian Eno and David Byrne who used polyrhythmic Afrobeat influences on their 1980 album Remain in Light; Wizkid, Davido and Tiwa Savage all draw upon Afrobeat as an influence.
As a result, Afrobeat music has entered mainstream pop culture.
Though Afrobeat may be difficult to categorize as an overarching genre, certain characteristics define it: African percussion paired with American-influenced bass lines and guitar licks is one such characteristic, while groove-based beats with lyrics sung in local languages are another hallmark. Furthermore, music must be infectious enough for people to get up and dance!
In the 1970s, many African musicians created their own take on American disco music by incorporating regional rhythms and musical styles into it. One notable LP released by an African band named The Funkees features funky synthesizers, high-end production techniques and an infectiously catchy beat – making for an amazing listen.
The band was known for their stunning vocal harmonies on this album; unfortunately, however, the record hasn’t received as much attention over time; nonetheless it’s definitely worth checking out for fans of Afrobeat music.
Another early example of afrobeat can be seen through The Africa Shrine, an African band from Paris whose groove tunes are reminiscent of Kool and the Gang and LA Express as well as Fela Kuti’s politically charged songs.
While this collection’s records tend to focus on makossa and highlife grooves, this selection also brings forth longer, funkier songs from Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya – some languid and monotonous while others more dense and hypnotic – from groups in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
Disco
Disco is a dance music genre popular in the 1970s. Usually featuring four-on-the-floor beats with an emphasis on bass and drums, disco was heavily influenced by Latin and funk music as well. Songs usually contain multiple instruments such as pianos, guitars and bass synthesizers in order to produce infectious dance tracks with repetitive lyrics designed to make people move to their feet and groove. Disco was widely revered both domestically and abroad – its influence even reaching Europe!
Giorgio Moroder was an integral figure in shaping disco dance music during the 1970s. His signature hits for Donna Summer such as “Love to Love You Baby”, “I Feel the Need for Speed”, and “I’m So Excited”, helped popularize disco as an international genre. Disco is known for its driving bass beat, seductive tempos and sexually suggestive lyrics as well as electronic effects like vocoders.
Disco music began its decline during the mid- to late 70s as other genres such as electronic and pop music began displacing it, such as hi-NRG. Disco also played an influential role in shaping new genres such as Eurodisco and House music, which could then continue its reign of dominance today.
Many of the most successful Disco artists reached their career high points during this era. LaDonna Adrian Gaines, better known by her stage name Donna Summer, became one of the best-selling female dance artists ever with 32 Billboard chart hits; she is widely credited with popularizing disco music within mainstream culture.
Although disco was immensely popular, it experienced significant resistance due to its representation of Black, Brown and Queer communities as well as production techniques used by producers of disco music. This anti-disco movement culminated in Chicago’s Comiskey Park for what became known as “Disco Demolition Night”.
As artists from different genres attempted to appeal to the disco market, artists from other genres began incorporating disco elements into their music. Perry Como and Ethel Merman added disco flair to classic big band tunes; Motown produced hits featuring disco elements, including “Sister Disco”, which reached number one on Billboard’s U.S. chart in 1977. Even country artists like Dolly Parton embraced disco through songs with disco elements.
R&B
R&B music is an eclectic musical genre rooted in African American expressive culture. During a thirty-year period spanning legalized segregation, international conflicts, and the struggle for civil rights; R&B evolved as a combination of jump blues, big band swing, gospel music, boogie-woogie and blues genres that transformed into something which inspired movement on dance floors across America.
Rhythm and blues has long played an integral part of dance culture, providing infectious rhythms that encourage movement between people. Additionally, its lyrics address social issues that impact us collectively through movements such as civil rights; making this genre an essential component of American society.
R&B music can be distinguished by its distinctive blend of syncopated rhythms and soulful vocal delivery, two characteristics that date back to its origins in the 1940s when artists such as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin used their voices to express emotion and connect with audiences. This amalgamation of jazz, gospel and blues gave way to R&B which later influenced contemporary musical styles.
In the 1960s, R&B music began to distinguish itself from rock. Crooners such as Etta James and Sam Cooke brought smoother textures to pop music while white rockers experimented with heavier sounds and psychedelic experimentation. Meanwhile, soul labels Motown Records in Detroit and Memphis’ Stax Records fused southern blues music with smooth vocalists such as Otis Redding to form R&B music.
As disco emerged during the 1970s, R&B took on more of a structured form with music such as MFSB’s disco. This genre combined elements of R&B, funk and disco for upbeat and danceable rhythms that led to new artists such as MFSB, The Chi-Lites and The Staple Singers; R&B also began incorporating more Afrocentric lyrics and expanded instrumentation like Isaac Hayes and Reverend Al Green who combined church music, African rhythms, expanded instrumentation into their R&B songs; their influence even helped develop both genres simultaneously.
In the 1980s, R&B music combined with synthesizers and other electronic elements to form the genre known as dance-pop, popularized by acts like Madonna, Michael and Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston and many more. Dance-pop also integrated elements from disco music (post disco), post disco music as well as synthesizers into its sound for an energetic performance style.
Rock
Classic rock era of the 60s and 70s saw musical influences come together. Music from groups such as the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix combined elements such as blues, heavy rock, and funk to produce new forms of music that made for exciting listening experiences and ensured it would continue evolving and survive into new generations. Cross-pollination between styles makes music dynamic while simultaneously contributing to its survival and future development.
Disco music was one of the greatest breakthroughs. Originating in the early seventies and culminating with Saturday Night Fever in 1977 – where its soundtrack featured Bee Gees’ Stayin Alive was an overwhelming success – disco reached its zenith as John Travolta and dance partner was inspired heavily by this form of dance through choreography rooted in its 4/4 beat characteristic of this type of dancing.
At this time, several major rock acts dabbled in dance music. Groups such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Rod Stewart dabbled with funk and Philly soul music while other acts like Human League and Spandau Ballet focused their efforts on synthpop while other groups such as Commodores and Four Seasons utilized more pop sounds that also contained elements of dance music.
In the 1980s, many of the same musicians who had dabbled in dance music during the 70s continued making dance-based rock music with more emphasis placed on keyboards and drum machines than guitars; their sound often featured heavier low end frequencies; more white label 12″ single releases featuring remixes were often released as well.
Something about this sound made it extremely captivating and contemporary compared to music today, perhaps related to being recorded at such an exciting and joyful time; or due to advanced recording technology having advanced significantly since the early sixties.
If you’re fascinated with dance music history, take some time to listen to Motown hits from this period. There are countless compilations available; chances are high that you will discover some classic tracks to your liking!