GoaThief said:
[Seriously though, I'm glad someone got the reference - I was getting worried about it there for a while.
Yeah, that was one of my underlying problems with that - the majority of people here aren't going to get the reference, and I think more people should listen to the original, as it is a truly breathtaking song. The reason it gets sampled so often is a pointer to its influence and cultural significance.
Do you know much about the UK Acid Techno scene by the way? If not I can assure you this track was not made "just because", as above it is pretty politically charged and no doubt made as a homage. Out of interest, what subgenre of techno tickles your pickle?
I'm no expert, but I was around during the era, and went to plenty of early raves. Not "The Summer of Love," but soon after. I was already into jazz, early hip-hop and rap around the time techno came around.
As for sub-genres, I generally hate that term with a passion. It's so stupid the way people define themselves by slight definitions of style, when it's all just music. I remember when the metal-heads hated rap, and the rap enthusiasts hated metal. But I liked both, and then came along the fusion of rap and metal.
Similarly with electronic music, where I like liked techno, house, trance (when that became a thing distinct from techno somehow), breakbeat styles, but for some reason people identified so strongly with a particular style that they were closed off, and even at war with the other factions.
Personally, jungle, breakbeat, acid house, deep house, happy hardcore, classic electronics (Kraftwerk etc); all do it for me. But there's stuff I love and hate about all those genres. Personally, I'm returning more and more to rock/punk/alternative these days - whatever you want to call the stuff made with guitars and drums, etc. But also to chip tunes and experimental electronica. Mostly because the dance floors have turned to shit, and it's becoming harder to find a good rave that's about the music.
At both ends of the spectrum, whether it's "live" rock music or electronica, I care more about performance than genre. The qualities of a live performance are so compelling, even if the performer isn't a technical maestro. And this comes back to Gil Scott-Heron's song. It's remarkable because it is so organic. The complexity of his rhythm, timing and phrasing is just mind-blowing, which is why a sample can't replicate its power. It does more than make you want to dance, it makes you want to go and do something great - which is why so many who have come since have been inspired by him and reference him.
