London, in the late 1980s, early 90s ... those were the days. I was a teenager back then, and by 1990, I was hooked on what was called Acid Jazz. This was what got me into DJing, and I remember going record shopping in London, because most of the records you couldn't find anywhere else.
Though I wouldn't consider Acid Jazz a musical genre - just like Grunge - it was a movement and life style that stormed through Europe in the early 1990s and later came to the U.S.

To me as a Funk DJ, this is where it all began. I was 15 when I DJed at one of Galliano's first performances in Germany in late 1990. I also DJed a few gigs for Jamiroquai in early 1993 when they first started touring. Those were magical days, when a musical movement from London took Funk, Jazz and Soul under one umbrella and took black music to a whole new level.

Granted, looking back at it now, a lot of it was trash. I still have the Totally Wired compilations on Acid Jazz Records, and by today's standards, a lot of it was really bad. But they definitely turned me on to oldschool Funk. I went through my boxes of Acid Jazz Records this week because I'll do an Acid Jazz special on my radio show in Richmond, Virginia, this Sunday, May 11th. If you want to listen to two hours of the best in Acid Jazz, tune in to W-RIR Richmond Indie Radio www.wrir.org from 1 to 3 pm EST time (that's 6 - 8 pm UK time, 7 - 9 pm CET). For those of you who were around in those days, it'll definitely take you back.

Of course the main labels for Acid Jazz were these:

Acid Jazz Records, founded by Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson in 1988. The term Acid Jazz was invented by Chris Bangs, one of Gilles' DJ buddies.




Gilles Peterson soon left Acid Jazz and created Talkin Loud Records (which later became Brownswood Records).




There are still some groups and albums that stood the test of time.

One of the most underrated one is the project Outside on Dorado Records. They released one album called Almost in in 1993. It's still one of the best albums of that genre. It's basically just this one guy, Matt Cooper, who was 19 years old at the time, who recorded this album in his home studio all by himself, playing most instruments and writing all music. The album features some guest appearances by Rob Gallagher (Galliano) and Jazz singer Cleveland Watkiss. It's a fantastic record, any it was really inspired by Roy Ayers and RAMP. Any one who likes those acts will definitely love this one. By the way, Matt Cooper is keyboarder for Incognito today.




Pioneers of the old Acid Jazz Records days are definitely these guys:

Mother Earth - very funky, very mod, a bit of Rock influence. Great band. They are still around.




Corduroy made the dirty, lowdown organ instrumental Funk popular. They recently reunited.




We should not forget these guys ... Jamiroquai! Their first single When you gonna learn was released on Acid Jazz Records in 1992, before Sony Music stole the guys from Eddie Piller. The 12" is a nice collectores item these days, with different remixes and the original demo of that song.




Another group that made it big in the mainstream had its start on Acid Jazz Records as an instrumental Funk band ... the Brandnew Heavies!




Talkin Loud Records began its big offensive in late 1990 with four acts. First was Omar, who had a hit with There's nothing like this and later recorded with Stevie Wonder. He's still around, by the way.




Incognito were formed in the early 1980s, but made it big when they signed with Talkin Loud in 1990. I didn't like their first album too much, but the second one was great.





K-Creative was an experimental Hip Hop / Jazz group. They released on album on Talkin Loud in 1992. It's hard to find today, and it was a great record.





United Future Organisation was a project from Japan, signed to Talkin Loud. They did some great stuff, too.





The Young Disciples did only one album, titled Road to Freedom, on Talkin Loud in 1991. It's one of the best albums of that era. Lead singer is Carleen Anderson, daughter of Bobby Byrd and Vicki Anderson.




And finally, my very favorite group from the Acid Jazz days .. Galliano. Their first album is In pursuit of the 13th note from 1990, which totally changed the way I perceived music.



Their second album A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator from 1992 was even better. Y'all probably remember Prince of Peace?



Galliano released four more albums after that, but these two are my favorite.

Prince of Peace



Prince of Peace live



Long Time Gone from their third album The Plot Thickens



Golden Flower feat Omar from A Joyful Noise unto the Creator



Anyway, these were the days ... anyone else remember? And once again, don't forget the radio show this Sunday www.wrir.org from 1 to 3 pm EST time (that's 6 - 8 pm UK time, 7 - 9 pm CET).

I have a 1987 vinyl of `70s dancefloor jazz compiled by Gilles Peterson. Dude knows good music/talent when he hears it. His Worldwide compilations are still great... even the "old" ones.

Cinnie said:

True ... Gilles is the one who made it happen, and he's still around.

Is Acid Jazz dead and gone? I think I still listen to it.

I have "Listen" by Urban Species on a Talkin' Loud 12".

JackieBlue said:

To those who I know and who where part of it back then, yes, it's dead and gone. Some have moved on to other things, some have changed their musical course. I think that Acid Jazz was special during that time, because the timing was right.

Cinnie said:

Great track. The album is good, too.

MrSoulpower said:

You know who actually put me up on that was IAin'tTheOne, brotha Finess from the org.

Cinnie said:

For real? That's cool, not too many people in the States are hip to it. And I have to admit that after leaving here for some years, the british accent of the rappers sound somewhat odd ...

Great post! Omar is still da bomb.

I'll be tunin' in to your stream on Sunday. Do you take requests?

I'd like to hear most anything by Mr. Electric Tirangle but Laters and Final Thoughts from Kosmosis of the Heart are are my two faves.

How about Random Access by Jazz Inc.? That one is way funky.

Big ups for Mr. Soulpower!

DakutiusMaximus said:

I already pulled out my selection for this one, but let me see what I got .. it's tough when you got two hours for an entire musical legacy ..

DO I..?


Here are my two Favorite albums of the Genre..
#1 Jamiroquai-Return of the space cowboy !

#2 Omar-Music

[Edited 5/9/08 10:12am]

Good thread, SoulPower. Acid Jazz was/is a great movement. It was nice to hear some of the more organic funk/jazz sound from the 70s coming back into play (not that I didn't love the synthetic 80s). Gilles Peterson has great taste and should be commended for almost single-handedly bringing back that style/sound. Bluey Maunick's Incognito is still one of my favorite bands. I look forward to every one of their releases. The musicianship is what I love about this genre -- bringing back the serious horn sections with great arrangements. Sadly the rnb/soul genre of today can't compare in any way. Today's rnb/soul singers can't compare to some of the great vocalists to come out of the acid jazz scene -- Maysa Leak and N'Dea Davenport to name a few. Sadly the American music machine dictates what is heard or considered cool, so sounds from older styles of music don't get much airtime. Ironically, people like Winehouse have cashed in on utilizing that very thing (incorporating older styles). Go figure. Regardless, acid jazz was/is a great style and hopefully people like Gilles Peterson will keep it moving underground for those of us that enjoy great music.

CosmicDancer said:

Hey I saw your post that said you recorded and released acid jazz... that was far more interesting than listing two favorites. Do share.

Cinnie said:

glad i could hip ya.... but ya'll forgot "Brooklyn Funk essentials" and "Reprocussions"

I dont know where to begin..
I guess the simplified version is... some of my best friends in the world are members of the group Groove Collective..not only did I do several years of touring with them..I have also been on the albums as a performer/writer..and I was deep into the whole scene through knowing Gilles and working in the UK and being signed as an arist to Giant step in NYC..my life WAS ACID JAZZ from like 93-97

Cinnie said:

CosmicDancer said:

I miss it.a lot.

CosmicDancer said:

I remember the Groove Collective and Giant Step as well. East Coast pioneers, that was some good shit! I had my Acid Jazz roots in Europe Djing at shows for Galliano, Jamiroquai, Mother Earth, Corduroy, Raw Stylus .. then I moved to L.A., ended up working and touring with the Solsonics (on the 1994 tour, the Fugees were the opening act). In recent years I've worked a lot in London, and I connected with many people from the old Acid jazz days .. for example, Chris Bangs (who coined the term “Acid Jazz), Perry Louis (one of the most active Djs in London for the past 20 years), I toured with Push (Galliano band) last year and I'm currently working with Constantine Weir (Galliano founding member). Most people are still around, doing different things ... although everyone's slightly older now. Some people still talk about the old days, others are done with it ..

To me it was always JAZZFUNK ! I never saw it as some new Hybrid..
all the dudes I knew were into FUNK !
Oldschool...
from Herbie to Roy to Shuggie to JB , Sly ect...

MrSoulpower said:

CosmicDancer said:

Agreed. To many Americans at that time, Acid Jazz was just Funk or Jazzfunk. But the European sound was a bit different ... I think it's safe to say that the European artists, especially those in the UK, managed to develop their own sound, often described as “London Sound”. A very soft, mellow, synth-driven sound with mellow bass-lines and Moog effects, etc. But if you see my original post, I already stated that Acid Jazz isn't really a musical genre but rather a cultural movement that took many musical styles under its wing.

By the way..
This is Prettymansson that you are talking to...In my new Spring 2008 alter ego

MrSoulpower said:

MrSoulpower said:

Seconded. To me, it was more a revival of interest in the likes of Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayres and other '70s jazz funkers, and certain bands striving to emulate their sounds with more modern instruments and a more 'London' attitude..

I must say I never particularly dug many of the 'Acid Jazz' bands of the late '80s/ early '90s, though I had a brief flirtation with the music of the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ), a well-known act strangely absent from your list there, Mr Soulpower . But then I found out more about James Brown and Jimmy Smith etc, and my interest in them faded ...

But at least the Acid Jazz movement in Britain sparked interest in some more interesting old sounds than most of those emanating from the pop charts of the time, and even more so now .

Would King Britt fit in this category?

Miles said:

JTQ - you're definitely right.

SPYZFAN1 said:

Musically - maybe. But he wasn't really part of the movement.

CosmicDancer said:

Well dang, I was preachin' to the choir then.

MrSoulpower said:

I guess the trend was cool since it got folks overseas listening to funk and a bit of jazz and it did plenty for vinyl digs and archivists. Indeed, a lot of faded American soul-jazz artists reaped benefits with bookings, but overall the original music was full of apish mimicry and faked coolness that proved dull and vapid after an initial flash of excitement.
[Edited 5/9/08 19:00pm]

PFunkjazz said:

I agree to a certain extend. Most of the groups never made it beyond mimicry, but there are some who took it to a next level and greated their own, original sound. Galliano would be among those.

I don't even play Acid Jazz Records anymore, which is why I got excited about having a reason (the radio show) to dig out long forgotten records.

And there is one thing you completely ignore - the fact that Acid Jazz was a movement. It wasn't just the music, it was a way of life. It had it's own scene, fashion, magazines, etc .. and the overall feeling of this movement was very positive, in a very unique way. It brought people together. The energy at the parties I've experienced in the early to mid-90s is something that I will never forget, no matter if it was London, Hamburg, Los Angeles, San Franciso or Tokyo ... it's definitely a feeling that today's Funk scene lacks ..