Chicago Deep House Music – The New Sound of the City
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Chicago is known for its deep house music scene, and the city’s newest crop of DJs and producers are keeping the sound alive. From established names like Derrick Carter and Gene Farris to up-and-comers like J. Phlip and DJs Kodh and Spinn, Chicago deep house is the new sound of the city.
What is Deep House Music?
Deep house music is a subgenre of house music that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a smooth, soulful sound with elements of jazz, funk, and disco. Deep house music is often associated with the city of Chicago, where it first emerged.
The History of Deep House Music
Deep house is a subgenre of house music that originated in the 1980s, initially fusing elements of Chicago house with synth-pop and jazz-funk. It was pioneered by Figures of Speech, a group led by former high schoolmates Vaughn Treyshun and Earl Smith Jr., also known as Vince Lawrence and Jamie Principle respectively. The first release under the Figures of Speech name, “In Motion”, is widely regarded as the first deep house record.
The style was developed in Chicago’s underground dance club scene in the early 1980s, as DJs from the subgenre began to incorporate synthesizers, drum machines, and newly imported disco records into their sets. When disco music lost popularity in mainstream clubs in the United States at the beginning of the 1980s, DJs from other genres began to experiment with incorporating disco tracks into their sets for a 12″ vinyl release. This experimentation often resulted in new tracks being produced that incorporated various elements of other genres including synth-pop, post disco and jazz funk.
In 1987, earl smith jr., also known as dj spanky released “No Way Back”, which is often cited as being one of the first deep house tracks. The track was originally released on Trax Records, a Chicago-based record label that was founded in 1984 by smith jr. and larry sherman.
Deep house music eventually spread to Europe in the late 1980s, where it continued to evolve rapidly throughout the 1990s and 2000s. By the early 21st century, deep house had become one of the most popular subgenres of house music globally
The Rise of Deep House Music in Chicago
In the early 1980s, Chicago’s house music scene was born in the basements of residential houses on the city’s South Side. This new sound of music became known as “Chicago house.” By the mid-1990s, the popularity of Chicago house had grown and spread to other parts of the city. The scene shifted from basements to clubs and warehouses, and the music evolved into a new subgenre known as “deep house.”
Today, deep house is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music (EDM). Thanks to its soulful sounded and hypnotic rhythms, deep house has captivated dance music lovers around the world. And it all started in Chicago.
The Sound of Deep House Music
Deep house music is a subgenre of house music that originated in the 1980s, characterized by a slower tempo and more mellow sound. The style was developed as a response to the faster, more frantic pace of other types of house music, and is often associated with a more relaxed, party atmosphere.
The sound of deep house music is often described as “jazzy,” with a focus on atmosphere and mood rather than danceability. The typical instruments used in deep house productions include pianos, synthesizers, and drum machines, often with samples of jazz or soul vocals.
Chicago is considered the birthplace of deep house, thanks to the city’s rich history of jazz and soul music. The first deep house tracks were produced in the city in the early 1980s, and the sound quickly caught on with clubgoers and DJs.
In the years since, Chicago deep house has continued to evolve, incorporating elements from other genres like techno and garage. The result is a sound that is both distinctly Chicagoan and reflective of the city’s diverse musical community.
The Future of Deep House Music
Deep House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the city of Chicago in the late 1980s. The style is characterized by a deep, driving bassline, a hypnotic 4/4 beat, and often sample-based percussion and melodies. Chicago’s Deep House sound would go on to influence the development of other genres such as Techno and Acid House.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Deep House music, with many new producers and DJs taking up the style. The sound of Deep House has also been evolving, with new sub-genres such as Wonky and Bass House emerging. Some commentators have even suggested that Deep House is the new sound of the city, reflecting Chicago’s status as a global cultural hub.
Whether or not Deep House is here to stay, it’s clear that the genre has made a significant impact on electronic music. And with its rich history and vibrant present, there’s no doubt that Chicago will continue to be an important center forDeep House and other genres for years to come.
