in re:
From: KaisrSolze@aol.com
Subject: (idm) IDM as Jazz
see below for abbreviated original quote.
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Wow, so many subjects to tackle here.
First off, I think you can compare elements of
improv in jazz to elements of improv in any music artform/genre. Its all
about your
own personal approach to making music. I've seen improv in idm, dj'ing,
jazz, rock...the
list could conceivably go on forever except for music(s) where improv was
not allowed
by design...like a symphony reading a score, ie. Comparisions between idm
and jazz?
I don't know. Improv, yes. For anecdotal sake, please know that IDM master
Jonah Sharpe ( Space Time Continuum) was a once a professional jazz
drummer. I would also
cite jazz improv as being a massive influence for many ( no not all!)
Detroit techno legends.
Next, I would *guess* that one of the reasons that *some* IDMers groove on
Hancock, other than the fact that a lot of his shit seriously rocks is his
connection to synths and
electronic gear. He was one of the first to "electrify" modern jazz with
lots, and I mean lots!
of gear...There's an LP of his (forgot the name) where he's standing at a
seat with like,
25 synths and KBs (early boxes...Arps, Minis, Rolands)...Also, his sound is
an inspirator
both in composition and also tone/timbric structure to early Detroit
techno. Check old
interviews of Detroiters for that. Last but not least, one of the most
important pieces of "electro" is his masterpiece: "Rockit" from 1983.
Jazz? Electronic? Who cares! Its a legendary piece.
And on the subject of someone (Hancock) whos on a cheesy ad for a cheesy
radio station
( yeah, I see the ads on the subway here in NYC, too ) all I can say is
that Mr. Hancock
has been making and recording music for over 30 years. Bebop to 60's
Groove to Funk Jazz to Electric Jazz to Electro to...the end of the path:
Top 40 EZ Listening Quiet Storm, Jazz for white people.
We've all got to pay the rent, y'know.
And for those IDMers and shameless spotters that would care, there's a
massive, if not
embarassingly simple Hancock sample on the Amorphous Androgynous "Tales of
Ephidrena" LP. Anyone spot the track?
np: Hafler Trio: Kill the King
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original quote ( partial)
--for all this list's comparisons between idm and jazz, is there really a
parallel?
Is there any equivalent improvisation........ What do the best live
IDmers do--are they really able to do original improv with the tools they
use?
On a related note, not meaning to offend anyone (I haven't heard
his music),
why is there such a big Herbie Hancock love-in on this list? Here in NYC
he's advertised by the radio station that bills itself as "the smoothest
place on earth", also playing enny G and his ilk. My parents, both big into
jazz, just laugh when I mention hancock's name--my dad called him profoundly
uninteresting. Why that reaction from 2 openminded people? Are there people
on this list who dislike him, and those of you who like him--what innovations
did he make that older jazz musicians hadn't before him?
bpm0@interport.net, Peter Becker
Retail Sales manager, DJ Pool,
Asphodel records, NYC
Phone: (212) 965-0265
FAX: (212) 965-0959
http://www.asphodel.com