revisit a sound that revolutionized music: the electro music.
Writing a review on electro music is one thing but where to start?
One can think of electro music as a genre gathering all kinds of music using a
specific tempo, the well-known B.P.M. (Beats Per Minute). However, we have
decided not to only speak about the music rhythm.
Indeed, limiting oneself to this definition would mean that Drum n Bass or some Techno musics couldn’t be classified as electro musics. In this review, we will generally and simply
consider electro music as a music based on electronic sounds.
Electro music derives from various trends that sometimes have nothing to do with one another. It seems impossible a task to classify as ‘electro’ some CDs and LPs of different times and backgrounds, like one could do with Rock or HipHop music. Besides, we could even say that today’s musics are all electronic ones.
It is often said that electro was born with disco’s decline at the end of the 70s, starting with the Disco Demolition Night. However, one can find electronic influences on LPs issued a lot before this time and produced by artists with varied influences, very distant from Disco music.
Records released at different times
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the use of the Telharmonium has highlighted new sounds produced by technology. This avant-garde and very impressive instrument opened the range of possibilities for computer generated sounds. The invention of the electromagnetic amplifier in the beginning of the 20th century was at the origin of the electric guitar. The emergence of the all these sound amplification technologies enabled new
music genres to spread.
In the 30s, the Hammond organ, an electromechanical instrument originating from technology also used for the Tel harmonium became a source of inspiration and change for Jazz music.
The rhythm box appeared in the 60s. This unprecedented technology initiated a change in music in general. It is said that it was the Roland TR-808 rhythm box which gave birth to this music style. According to us, electronics have been part of music ever since technology has started to influence our way of apprehending and understanding sound.
Electronic CDs and LPs from various origins
From a very long time, experimental music and avant-garde music have explored sound from every angle. From the 50s, electric pianos have brought an electronic touch to pop music. The use of electric pianos became more and more common in Jazz music with the Hammond organ. Synthesizers were at the origin of Fusion Jazz in the 60s. Rock music also became more
electric as soon as the 60s. Rock and Psyche opened the path to sound exploration with the increasing use of synthesizers in the 70s.
Dub music originated from the use of machines that made possible the manipulation of sound in Reggae music. These techniques were created by sound engineers who remixed melodies.
Of course it was still light-year away from nowadays Techno House music but the foundations stones were placed.
Vinyl records with electronic sounds released in different places
It’s easy to understand that electro music has no specific place of birth, even if one can hear that it was born here or there. According to us, electronic music was born in several places at the same time! This genre appeared on LPs released by different artists from various music styles and everywhere on the planet. Each music style created its own version of electro and invented its way of integrating technology into sound. All these influences have mingled and still are interconnected. In the end, a kind of hybrid sound was born from the multiplicity of these electronic sounds.
As a proof, we have selected 11 records that bear in them some electro music or are simply electronic. They all dispute the fact that this style was first born in Detroit, Chicago, Tokyo, Berlin or some place else.
This non-exhaustive selection entirely involves the authors of this review.
Dick Hyman – The Age Of Electronicus (1969)
Bruce Haack - The Electric Lucifer (1970)
Hans Edler – Elektron Kukéso (1971)
Gershon Kingsley - PopCorn (1972)
Cosmic Furnace - Roger Powell (1973)
Mister K - Pop Arp (1973)
Tomita - Snowflakes Are Dancing (1974)
Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygène (1976)
Kraftwerk - Trans Europa Express (1977)
Cerrone - Cerrone 3 - Supernature (1977)
Zanov – Green Ray (1977)
Giorgio Moroder - Chase (1978)
Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) - Yellow Magic Orchestra (1978)
The Flying Lizards – Money (1979)
Gino Soccio - Outline (1979)
According to us, the electronic influence is very much highlighted on these various albums. It is obvious that technology brought about a revolution on the way to make sounds and through that selection, one can notice that electronic sounds already influenced music a lot, from the 60s.
What is your opinion on electro music?
Which are, according to you, the first CDs and LPs involving electronic
sounds?
What are the first productions of electro music?
