Definition of Style

What is Acid Jazz?
This question has the potential to be answered in many different ways, and that is the truth – There is not a strict formula to acid jazz. However there is some criteria which is common to the style.

Acid jazz is a music genre that combines jazz influences with elements of soul, funk, hip-hop, R&B, disco and dance music. It was developed over the eighties and nineties with a strong idea of restoring jazz music back to the dance floor. It could be sampled and synthesized, it could be completely live, but all acid jazz involves one essential and very prominent feature: groove.

As acid jazz is more defined by groove and feel, it is hard to analyse it in a technical musical sense. However, looking very generally, acid jazz could be broken down in the following way:

• Drums: Funk/hip-hop rhythms. Tempo ranges from about 88bpm to 116bpm.

• Percussion: (If existent) Afro-Latin style rhythms on congas, or syncopated shaker/cabasa rhythms.

• Bass: Usually melodic, played straight or slapped.

• Guitar: Jazz/Funk chords (e.g. 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths and #5ths) played in higher registers, clean or processed with wah-wah.

• Keyboards: Simple arrangements of piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ and Wurlitzer.

• Horns: Sometimes there are horn sections, often with saxophones, trumpets and trombones and occasionally a flute. Usually played in tight unison lines.

• Strings: Sometimes there are string sections. Usually play an accompaniment or some sort of counter-melody.