The beauty of music
Beauty of Music
The definition of music has always been a topic of debate. The definition has changed from time to time and also from one region to another. Some have considered music to be an art and some have considered it to be a science. The word ‘music’ is derived from the Greek word for the word muse i.e. ‘mousa’. A definition of music that is widely accepted nowadays is that music is the art or science of combining sounds (both vocal and instrumental) to produce beauty of form, harmony and expression of emotion. It is very often said that music has no barriers and it transcends all boundaries. Everyone equally appreciates music.
Music can bridge the gap between two people or two nations. Various scriptures and archaeological findings show that music has been an integral part of man’s life ever since. Since a long time music is also used as a way of communication. Since, music is present even in the lives of tribal groups who have been isolated since long so it can be concluded that music has been present in the ancestral population. Since then the forms of music have changed but as a whole music has remained the same. Prehistoric music or primitive music is the given to the music that was created in the cultures that existed in the preliterate era. In the year 2008, in the Hohle Fels cave near Ulm, Germany the archaeologists discovered a flute made of bone. Classical music is a term which is very commonly heard. Classical music refers to music that is produced in or rooted in traditional art. Few attributes that are generally related with classical music are complex, lasting and abstract.
Indian music is considered to be one of the oldest traditions of music in the world. The sculptures from the Indus valley civilization show dance forms and musical instruments. When excavations were carried out at Harrappa and Mohenjo Daro various string instruments and drums were found. The Indian classical Music can be basically divided into traditions namely: southern Carnatic Music and northern Hindustani classical music. Carnatic music was mostly devotional and most of the songs in carnatic music are devoted to the Hindu deities. On the other hand, Hindustani music was also affected by the performance practices by the Afghan Mughals. The main characteristic of Indian classical music is that, it is monophonic and is based on a single melody line or ‘raga’ which is rhythmically organized with the use of ‘taals’. Samveda, which is one of the four Vedas, has a lengthy description of music.
Music also has the power to heal. Listening to music can really help you in feeling better in many situations. Music has many forms such as: classical music, rock music, metal music, trance music, jazz music, opera music and many more. Every form of music has its own distinct style which is very unique. Music always motivates us to live life to its brim. It fills us with energy. Music has different forms but aim of all music is same and that is to touch the hearts of all.
During the late 1970s, Birmingham offered a true collage of cultures and music styles. From rock to ska, reggae to punk, the city had a totally diverse mixture of bands and musicians; as can be heard on the compilation ‘Bouncing In The Red’.
Fashion started out as John Mulligan, Dik Davis, and Al James (or ‘Luke Sky’) who all looked as though they had just fallen off a cat walk from outer-space, but then so did Duran Duran. Both bands took great inspiration from the The Rum Runner night club on Broad Street, home to Britain’s equivalent to Studio 54 in New York, where songs by Roxy Music and David Bowie could be danced to (Bowie released his own “Fashion” later in 1980).
Such was the market at the time, many bands would release their early singles independently, and Fashion were no exception. Their first album ‘Product Perfect’ was recorded in 1979 and could be described as ‘British New Wave’, taking influences from punk rock, mod subculture, electronic music, disco, dub and funk. The band toured both the USA and UK. They were an opening band for ‘THE POLICE’, did a UK club tour with a then unknown ‘U2′ and they opened for ‘THE B52′S’ on their first ever UK tour.
By 1982, punk was slipping back underground and Two Tone had reached it’s zenith. Fashion were at the very forefront of the brand new electronic music generation and the band released the techno savvy album ‘Fabrique’, which was produced by German ‘Zeus B. Held’ of ‘Gina X’ and ‘Dead Or Alive’ fame. By this time Al James had left the band and was replaced with Marlon Recchi and De Harris.
tracks such as ‘Alternative Playback’ (B-side to Something in Your Picture) and the techno-funky ‘Streetplayer’. It’s difficult to listen to these songs and not consider that Detroit techno luminaries such as Model 500, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson may have later taken influence from Fashion and some of their contemporaries. These in turn inspired pioneering dance outfits such as ‘LFO’, ’808 State’ and Birmingham’s own ‘Electribe 101′.
However, 29 years after the release of ‘Product Perfect’ on vinyl, original singer/guitarist Luke Sky (now living in California and still with a Brummie accent) has revisited the avant-garde album with a brilliant CD re-release, which can be obtained by visiting his Myspace page. For Fashion fans, Luke has also provided the finishing touches to his new CD album ‘Stairway to Nowhere’. A novel of the same name will also be published by the singer, reminiscing the bands early hedonistic days.
Birmingham’s Town Hall has finally reared up from the dust with great resonance, after lying dormant for over a decade. When the Town Hall last closed its doors in 1997, it created a gargantuan void in the city centre, something you just ‘passed by’ without a second thought. However, after a long overdue refurbishment, the Town Hall once again opens it doors to both young and old of the city and what better way to celebrate than with an evening hosted by internationally renowned jazzmeaister ‘Gilles Peterson’.
with disco lights zooming back and forth, they shared a joke and Gilles disappeared again. The thought did cross my mind whether Gilles would actually play if it was only to a few dozen people?
The group soon warmed up, with the MC complimenting the unique singing talents of Naomi Blake. Taharka MC was fast and concise, with his rhymes dropping in and out. The band played an eclectic set, and finished to a rapturous applause from a crowd now filling up the large dance floor. I spoke to Naomi afterwards and she may be collaborating with U.S. turntablist ‘Madlib’ in the near future, which would be a massive stepping stone for the talented Brummie songstress. Watch out for ‘Summary’, a band hotly tipped for success by Gilles Peterson.
Next up came Birmingham-based septet ‘Sugarbeats’, a Gilles Peterson favourite and it’s no surprise considering they are veterans of the Birmingham Conservatoire (as well as the Medicine Bar). Sugarbeats owned the stage with an easy and sometimes intense presence. Tight, fast and competent musicians, tenor ‘Ed Johnston’ kept the songs accessible with his uplifting, swinging vocals. The powerhouse of the band was ‘Rob Norman’ on keys, his lightning fast strikes of his organ left many people watching simply stunned. The band have played along side Gilles before and also renowned DJ ‘Norman Jay’.
his DJ sets tend to go down a storm and this is no exception.
discontinuity actually allows Gilles to reclaim his thunder and the party continues to roll, someone jumps up and darts back stage followed by security but Gilles isn’t phased.
By the 1950s lateral cut disc records had been perfected and were being made increasingly popular as a music format for Jazz bands in America. In Birmingham swinging jazz all-nighters took place at the Town Hall, Teddy Boys and Teddy girls rocked and rolled at venues such as Alex Hoopers and The Star Ballroom on the Stratford Road and party goers jived to coffee bar jukebox 45′s along Broad Street and Five Ways.
One of the most influential dance record labels in the world during this time was Network/Koolkat records based at Stratford House. In 1988, Neil Rushton (label boss and manager of ‘Inner City’) compiled and supervised the release of an album that would change the course of dance music forever, “Techno – The New Dance Sound Of Detroit”. It brought to light the futuristic sounds of Detroit masterminds like Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson. The compilation is now considered to be one of the major keystones in the history of techno music.
Other late 80′s promotions that embraced the new acid house and rare groove phenomenon included Chuff Chuff, Dial B, Salvation, The Bottle and Rococo. These were served by pre-eminent DJs Nathan Gregory, Bill, Dick, Lee Fisher and Moneypenny’s promoter Jim Shaft Ryan.
Notable Midland DJs to emerge from the clubs include Steve Lawler, Tony Devit, Scott Bond, Lisa Lashes, Patrick Smooth and Carl Cox to name but a few. The city even exported brands such as Moneypenny’s to Ibiza, Gatecrasher to Sheffield and Sundissential to London. Early bars included 49er’s, Notes and Marco Polo.
Digbeth continues to spearhead the alternative dance scene in the city with Shaanti and House of God bringing ethnic beats and techno breaks to The Factory.