In the mid 20th century, a style of music that had first been introduced during the flapper era became increasingly popular. This style is known as lounge music, and while it encompasses a range of different sounds, it is predominantly associated with easy listening. As such, it found in very mellow and chillout locations, such as in hotel bars, casinos and piano lounges.
This particular genre boasts a number of musical inspirations. Electronica, swing, space age pop and downtempo are just a few of the origins of this style. Simultaneously, the genre borrows from cultural styles, such as polynesian, bossa nova and exotica. However, jazz is the predominant origin of this type of music. You will hear key instruments when listening; these include ethnic percussion, drums, the piano, the guitar and also vibraphones.
The feeling this genre of music evokes is one of tranquility and being transported to a peaceful place. Examples of this could be outer space or the jungle. The key theme through listening to this style is most certainly relaxation, especially when one considers where this type of music is heard. It is perfect for an easygoing social setting.
While a great deal of this genre is purely instrumental, particularly in modern times, there are quite a few artistes who can date the start of their careers back to being lounge singers. The swing jazz era of the 30s and 40s is also considered to be of this genre. With this era, however, there is more importance placed on the singer as opposed to the instrumentals.
The Rat Pack, comprised of Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, were key figure at this time. Other known singers from the era include Sonny King, Jackie Gleason, Sam Butera and Louis Prima. Burt Bacharach was a musician, producer and songwriter who provided much of the music that these artistes would perform to. He is both a multiple Grammy and Academy Award winner. Most of the singers of this time were found in the casinos of Las Vegas.
There was another revival of the genre at the end of the twentieth century. Groups like Love Jones, The High Llamas, Combustible Edison and The Cocktails ruled the final decade. In the mid-nineties, the company Capitol Records was responsible for issuing an Ultra-Lounge album series. The entire musical style was in stark contrast to the other most popular style of the nineties, known as grunge.
From the beginning of the twenty-first century, the genre has taken a different direction, with artistes combining a mixtures of styles, such as metal or even hip hop. Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine is one such example. In the same way, French band Nouvelle Vague used post-punk songs from the eighties as the starting point for their inspiration.
Ultra-lounges are like nightclubs, however the layout is more like that of a cocktail bar than one where you would find a dance floor separate to the drinking area. It is a more relaxed social setting, where there is not so much musical noise; it is much more subdued than in the average nightclub. Furthermore, in these places, you can socialize more intimately through use of their semi-private rooms.
This particular genre boasts a number of musical inspirations. Electronica, swing, space age pop and downtempo are just a few of the origins of this style. Simultaneously, the genre borrows from cultural styles, such as polynesian, bossa nova and exotica. However, jazz is the predominant origin of this type of music. You will hear key instruments when listening; these include ethnic percussion, drums, the piano, the guitar and also vibraphones.
The feeling this genre of music evokes is one of tranquility and being transported to a peaceful place. Examples of this could be outer space or the jungle. The key theme through listening to this style is most certainly relaxation, especially when one considers where this type of music is heard. It is perfect for an easygoing social setting.
While a great deal of this genre is purely instrumental, particularly in modern times, there are quite a few artistes who can date the start of their careers back to being lounge singers. The swing jazz era of the 30s and 40s is also considered to be of this genre. With this era, however, there is more importance placed on the singer as opposed to the instrumentals.
The Rat Pack, comprised of Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, were key figure at this time. Other known singers from the era include Sonny King, Jackie Gleason, Sam Butera and Louis Prima. Burt Bacharach was a musician, producer and songwriter who provided much of the music that these artistes would perform to. He is both a multiple Grammy and Academy Award winner. Most of the singers of this time were found in the casinos of Las Vegas.
There was another revival of the genre at the end of the twentieth century. Groups like Love Jones, The High Llamas, Combustible Edison and The Cocktails ruled the final decade. In the mid-nineties, the company Capitol Records was responsible for issuing an Ultra-Lounge album series. The entire musical style was in stark contrast to the other most popular style of the nineties, known as grunge.
From the beginning of the twenty-first century, the genre has taken a different direction, with artistes combining a mixtures of styles, such as metal or even hip hop. Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine is one such example. In the same way, French band Nouvelle Vague used post-punk songs from the eighties as the starting point for their inspiration.
Ultra-lounges are like nightclubs, however the layout is more like that of a cocktail bar than one where you would find a dance floor separate to the drinking area. It is a more relaxed social setting, where there is not so much musical noise; it is much more subdued than in the average nightclub. Furthermore, in these places, you can socialize more intimately through use of their semi-private rooms.
No comments:
Post a Comment