Wiktor Wise
Electro swing, a genre that fuses vintage music from the 1920s to 1950s with electronic beats, first emerged in the mid-1990s. The genre has its roots in sampling old records from the swing era and giving them a new life with hip-hop and electronic music production techniques. While it has been slowly growing in popularity since the early 2000s, electro swing saw a significant explosion in 2018, with the rise of dedicated playlists on major streaming platforms. Artists like Caravan Palace, I Am Vinay, Gramophonedzie, and Jamie Berry have helped propel the genre into the spotlight, with some electro swing tracks even charting on the Billboard Hot 100. Today, electro swing continues to gain new fans and has a dedicated festival called Swingamajig in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The genre originated in the early 1990s by sampling old records from the swing era and giving them a hip-hop twist. |
| Search Interest | The term "Electro Swing" was coined in 2008, and since then, the search volume has been steadily increasing, with a significant spike in 2018 due to the popularity of "electro swing" playlists on major streaming platforms. |
| Musical Characteristics | Electro Swing combines the electronic sounds of the late 1990s to early 2000s with vintage swing samples, creating a unique blend of old and new. It often features aggressive percussion, deep sub-bass, and hip-hop grooves and tempos. |
| Artists | Notable artists in the Electro Swing genre include Caravan Palace, I Am Vinay, Parov Stelar, Jamie Berry, Caro Emerald, Gramophonedzie, and more. |
| Festivals | The popularity of Electro Swing has led to dedicated festivals like Swingamajig in the UK. |
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What You'll Learn
Electro swing's origins
The genre of electro swing is a fusion of old-school jazz and swing musical samples with modern electronic beats and production techniques. It is characterised by its combination of old and new, creating a nostalgic yet futuristic sound. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of electro swing, as genres often evolve gradually and are influenced by various musical movements, there are several key moments in its development that can be identified.
One of the earliest examples of musicians fusing jazz with electronic sounds was Herbie Hancock's 1983 album "Future Shock", and in particular, the single "Rockit". This release marked a shift in Hancock's focus towards the emerging electro sound, which he combined with his previous jazz influences. This fusion of jazz and electro would continue to evolve, with the development of the new jack swing sound, pioneered by producer Teddy Riley, which combined swing with contemporary R&B.
In the early 1990s, the electro swing genre began to take shape as hip-hop artists started sampling vintage swing and jazz records and combining them with modern hip-hop beat structures. This era of sampling and electronic music production provided the foundation for electro swing. Artists such as Miles Davis, with his final album "Doo-Bop", and Courtney Pine, with his album "To The Eyes of Creation", blended jazz and hip-hop influences, further influencing the development of electro swing.
The term "electro swing" began to gain traction in the early 2000s, with the release of notable albums such as Parov Stelar's "Rough Cuts" and Nicolas Repac's "Swing-Swing" in 2004. However, it wasn't until around 2018 that the genre saw a significant explosion in popularity, with the rise of streaming platforms and the success of artists such as Caravan Palace, Swingrowers, Mr. Scruff, and Alice Francis.
Electro swing has since evolved and spread globally, with a strong following in Europe and steady-beat dance cultures in cities like Berlin, Prague, and London. The genre continues to evolve and inspire new variations, such as the "'Swing n' Bass' movement, which combines swing with breakbeats, jungle, and drum n' bass.
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Artists and songs
Electro Swing, a genre that combines vintage swing samples with electronic music production, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. While the genre originated in the early 1990s, it has evolved and gained mainstream success, with a variety of artists and songs gaining recognition. Here are some notable examples:
Artists
- Caravan Palace is a French group that gained commercial success with their electro-swing track "Robot Face". They have also released other popular electro-swing songs such as "Black Betty".
- Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP are the artists behind the commercially acclaimed electro-swing song "We No Speak Americano".
- Mr. Scruff is known for his popular electro-swing track "Get A Move On!".
- Parov Stelar is a well-known electro-swing artist who has gained recognition for his songs such as "Lone Digger".
- Caro Emerald is another popular electro-swing artist, often mentioned alongside Parov Stelar.
- Electro Swing Circus is an electro-swing group that has gained attention for their song "Gravity".
- Dyes Iwasaki has collaborated with Lily Mizusaki on electro-swing songs such as "Tokyo Neo Swing" and "Epilogue".
- Jamie Berry is an electro-swing artist known for the song "Sweet Rascal".
Songs
- "POP SONG" by Kenshi Yonezu is an electro-swing song that has gained recognition within the community.
- "Tokyo Neo Swing" by Dyes Iwasaki (featuring Lily Mizusaki and remixed by Deladap) is a popular electro-swing track that has been well-received by listeners.
- "Epilogue" by Dyes Iwasaki (featuring Lily Mizusaki) is another electro-swing song by the same artist, showcasing the range of the genre.
- "Sweet Rascal" by Jamie Berry is an electro-swing song that has made its way into the community's playlists.
- "Black Betty" by Caravan Palace is another example of the diverse and energetic sound within the electro-swing genre.
- "Gravity" by Electro Swing Circus is a cheerful and uplifting electro-swing song that has gained a dedicated following.
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The role of sampling
Electro Swing emerged in the early 1990s, when sampling old records from the swing era and infusing them with hip-hop beat structures became popular. This fusion of vintage swing samples and electronic music production techniques laid the foundation for the unique sound of Electro Swing. The genre combines elements of swing and jazz with modern synthetic beats and glitch-based electronic music, creating a blend of old and new that has captivated audiences.
Sampling plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the past and the present, infusing modern electronic beats with the timeless elegance of vintage swing. Producers meticulously select and manipulate these samples to create a seamless fusion of styles, often warping and cutting up the original recordings to integrate them into new compositions. This creative process adds a layer of complexity and innovation to the genre, as artists experiment with different sounds and arrangements.
The availability of royalty-free and copyright-free sample packs, such as StrangeFlow's Electroswing Samples, has further fueled the popularity of Electro Swing production. These sample packs provide producers with a diverse array of sounds, including brass, piano, synth, and percussion elements, enabling them to craft their own unique blends and contribute to the evolving Electro Swing sound.
Additionally, the accessibility of sampling tools and technology has played a pivotal role in the development of Electro Swing. With the advent of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and sampling software, producers can now easily manipulate and rearrange samples, creating intricate and dynamic compositions. This technological advancement has democratized music production, allowing bedroom producers to experiment and innovate, contributing to the growing diversity and popularity of the genre.
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Sub-genres
Electro swing, a blend of electronic dance music and jazz/big band sounds, has been around in some form since the early 1990s. However, it has evolved and mixed with many other styles of music, creating new subgenres. Some of the most established subgenres include:
Swing House
This subgenre, also known as "Nu-Jazz", combines funk and jazz with dance, house, and techno. It first emerged in the early 1990s with artists like the Greenskeepers and Mike Dixon, who incorporated jazz and swing elements into their productions. However, the sound of these early tracks was more reminiscent of Funky House than Swing House. The term "Swing House" was also used to describe the music of DJs like Chris Tofu, who remixed existing swing and lounge titles.
Neo Swing
This subgenre blends the breakbeats of drum and bass with swing. It is characterised by aggressive percussion and deep sub-bass.
Swing Hop
Swing Hop folds swing samples into hip-hop tracks. It is influenced by the hip-hop grooves and tempos of dubstep, drum 'n' bass, house, and garage.
Glitch Swing
Glitch Swing is based on electronic music culture, including intense sound design and aggressive percussion. It is compatible with hip-hop, as well as dubstep, drum 'n' bass, house, and garage.
In addition to these subgenres, electro swing continues to evolve and expand, with new performers like Jamie Berry and Swing Republic pushing the boundaries of the genre.
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Popularity and reach
Electro swing, a genre that fuses vintage music with electronic beats, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. The term "electro swing" was coined in 2008 in Paris, and since then, the genre has been slowly gaining traction. However, it wasn't until 2018 that electro swing saw a significant explosion in popularity, likely triggered by the abundance of "electro swing" playlists on major streaming platforms such as Spotify.
The genre has a strong following in Europe, particularly in cities like Berlin, Prague, and London. It is also quite popular in the United Kingdom, where a yearly festival called Swingamajig is dedicated solely to electro swing. Electro swing's unique sound combines the drive of electronic music with influences from big band, ragtime, and swing music from the 1920s to 1950s. This fusion creates a heavier, more driving version of traditional swing music, often featuring remixed vocals and nostalgic samples.
The electro swing community is passionate and dedicated, with websites and forums dedicated solely to the genre. Artists like Caravan Palace, a French group, have helped bring electro swing to the mainstream with their top-charting tracks like "Robot Face" and "Lone Digger." Other artists, such as Jamie Berry from Lincolnshire and Caro Emerald from the Netherlands, have also made waves in the electro swing scene by blending swing influences with house and electro genres.
Electro swing's popularity has also extended beyond the music industry. For example, the song "Electro Swing" by Gramophonedzie (born Marko Milicevic), which sampled Peggy Lee's "Why Don't You Do Right," became one of the biggest club records of 2009. Additionally, the video game Fortnite featured a remix of Electro Swing's music in its Fortnitemares Battle Bus. These appearances in mainstream media have further contributed to the reach and popularity of electro swing.
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Frequently asked questions
Electro swing originated in the early 1990s when producers began sampling old records from the swing era and combining them with hip-hop beats.
Electro swing gained popularity in the mid-2000s, with the term "electro swing" being coined in Paris in 2008. The genre saw an explosion in interest in 2018 due to the availability of electro-swing playlists on major streaming platforms.
Notable electro swing songs include "Robot Face" by Caravan Palace, "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP, "Get A Move On!" by Mr. Scruff, and "Why Don't You" by Gramophonedzie.
Notable electro swing artists include Parov Stelar, Jamie Berry, Caro Emerald, and Caravan Palace.
