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What is Deep House Music? Defining the Genre

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What Exactly Is Deep House Music?

When talking about deep house, its definition can vary by person. Around 2010, the term became synonymous with synth-heavy house music. It focused on the dance floor and often exhibited a commercial sensibility.

It’s important to note that this isn’t the type of music we are talking about in this article. In this article, we cover the term as it relates to a moodier side of house music.

I also explain how the name was intended when the genre emerged in the 1980s and as it progressed through the 1990s.

Let’s journey back to the late 1980s. That’s when deep house music began to take shape in the industrial city of Chicago. It blended house music with jazz, funk, soul, and gospel.

The origins of this soulful genre lie in the creative genius of DJs like Larry Heard, also known as Mr. Fingers, along with architects like Frankie Knuckles, nicknamed the Godfather of House. Knuckles transformed the Chicago house scene. He did it by bringing deeper, more soulful sounds to venues like the now famous Warehouse.

Fast forward to the 1990s, when deep house began to diversify thanks to artists like Ron Trent and Kerri Chandler. New York’s Paradise Garage, under the leadership of Larry Levan, became a haven for deep house, promoting it’s emotive sound.

larry-heard-in-the-studio
Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers, a pioneer of the deep house genre

The origin of deep house

Let’s journey back to the late 1980s, where deep house music began to take shape in the industrial city of Chicago, blending elements of house music with jazz, funk, soul, and gospel.

The origins of this soulful genre lie in the creative genius of folks like Larry Heard, also known as Mr. Fingers, along with architects like Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House. Knuckles transformed the Chicago house scene by introducing deeper, more soulful sounds at venues like the famed Warehouse.

Fast forward to the 1990s, when deep house began to diversify thanks to artists like Ron Trent and Kerri Chandler. New York’s Paradise Garage, under the leadership of Larry Levan, became a haven for deep house, promoting its emotive sound.

studio 54 dancefloor
Dancers at the famous New York club the Paradise Garage

What is deep house? What makes deep house deep?

So, what exactly is deep house, and what gives it its unique depth?

It emerged in the mid to late 1980s as a subgenre of house music. It blends elements of Chicago house and New York garage with jazz, funk, soul, gospel, Latin, and R&B. It is typically 110 to 124 beats per minute.

Deep house was born from the pioneering music scene of 1980s Chicago.

The genre’s early influences are from 70s soul and funk music. You can hear dub-inspired effects on keys, pads, and vocals. These include filtered delays and smooth reverbs.

They also have less harsh, sub-heavy, soft bass. Deep house can contain complex jazz chords, but usually never more than two.

It’s complexity is in the sample selection, treatment, and loose-grooved syncopated percussion.

The sound and characteristics of deep house

Deep house has unique traits. They include a downtempo nature, warm atmosphere, shuffling rhythms, and deep, reverberating basslines.

These key elements define deep house music. They also appear in many subgenres of electronic music. But it’s about the combination that gives the soul and depth that the music carries.

Deep house often moves away from typical triad chords. It uses more complex chords, such as sevenths, ninths, or suspended chords, to create its unique sound.

This approach is a nod to jazz and blues, genres where seventh, ninth, and suspended chords are commonly found.

As a genre it’s common to find these advanced chord structures, something you’ll not find in mainstream music.

Basslines in deep house

In early deep house music, bass lines were key to the sound. They were known for being deep, resonant, and often subtle.

Other house music genres have straightforward and repetitive bass patterns. The producers crafted deep house basslines to be melodic and rhythmic.

These basslines provide a foundation that drives the groove and adds depth. Producers often used monophonic bass lines. They focused on low frequencies, creating a warm, enveloping sound.

Additionally, they used syncopation and complex rhythms.

These gave the bass a more organic and flowing feel. This approach, emphasizing smooth, sub-heavy, and occasionally dub-influenced bass. It helped define the genre’s deep and emotive quality.

Gospal and soulful vocal influences

Spoken Word and Preachers

Spoken word samples, often taken from sermons or speeches, were another staple in early deep house.

These samples added a narrative element to the music, providing a sense of storytelling that connected deeply with listeners.

The use of preacher-like voices, filled with conviction and emotion, helped to elevate the tracks, making them more than just dance music but rather an experience.

 

Example Track:

  • Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers) – “Can You Feel It”: Utilizes sparse yet impactful vocal lines that add a layer of emotional depth to the track.

Gospel and Soul Influences

One of the defining characteristics of early deep house was its heavy reliance on gospel and soul influences. Vocal samples from these genres were used to infuse tracks with a profound sense of emotion and spirituality.

Artists like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard often incorporated snippets of gospel choirs or soul vocalists, creating an uplifting, resonant quality. These samples were typically layered with reverb and delay to enhance their ethereal and spacious feel.

Example Track:

  •  Joe Smooth – “Promised Land”: Features soul-stirring lyrics and vocals that convey a gospel-like message of hope and brotherhood, echoing the sentiments of gospel music.

Female Vocalists and Emotional Hooks

The inclusion of female vocalists provided a softer, more emotive touch to deep house tracks. These vocals often featured lush harmonies and melodic hooks that became central to the song’s identity. The emotional delivery of these vocalists helped to convey the soulful and introspective nature of the genre.

Example Track:

  • Kym Mazelle – “Taste My Love” (produced by Marshall Jefferson): Features powerful female vocals that are both soulful and seductive.

Early deep house records

Digging into the crate of deep house releases, you’ll find tried and tested classic records that not only defined the genre, but also pushed its boundaries.

Central figures like Larry Heard left their mark with timeless tracks that still resonate today. Heard’s ‘Can You Feel It’ is a quintessential early deep house record, with its hypnotic bassline and soulful chords, it helped shape the genre’s distinctive sound.

Similarly, Marshall Jefferson’s ‘Move Your Body’ is another milestone, its infectious rhythm and uplifting vocals encapsulating the euphoric spirit of house music.

Kerri Chandler continued this pioneering spirit with ‘Atmosphere EP’, a masterclass in Tdeep, emotive grooves that showcases the genre’s jazz and soul influences.

The best way to experince the genre is to listen to it so here are a list of seminal tracks that define the genres sound;

1986: Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers) pioneers the deep house sound with the track "Can You Feel It"

1985: Frankie Knuckles, the "Godfather of House," releases the track "Baby Wants to Ride"

1987: Marshall Jefferson releases "Open Our Eyes" under his Virgo alias, which contributes to the deep house style.

1990: Ron Trent releases "Altered States," a seminal deep house track that becomes an anthem of the genre.

1993: Kerri Chandler releases "Atmosphere EP" solidifying his reputation as a key deep house producer.

1996: Moodymann (Kenny Dixon Jr.) releases "I Can't Kick This Feeling When It Hits" blending deep house with Detroit techno and soul influences. His unique sound and mysterious persona elevate him to a key figure in the genre.

2001: Miguel Migs releases the album "Colourful You" on Naked Music, gaining widespread acclaim and helping to popularise deep house on the West Coast of the U.S.

Notable deep house record labels

Trax Records

Founded in 1984 by Larry Sherman in Chicago, is a cornerstone of house music, playing a pivotal role in the genre’s development and global spread.

Trax became the launchpad for numerous pioneering artists, including Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, and Marshall Jefferson.

The label’s gritty, raw sound captured the essence of Chicago’s underground dance culture, with iconic tracks like “Move Your Body” and “No Way Back” becoming anthems that transcended the global music scene.

Strictly Rhythm

Strictly Rhythm, founded in 1989 by Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro in New York City, is an iconic label synonymous with the explosive rise of house music in the 1990s.

Strictly Rhythm quickly became a beacon for house music enthusiasts worldwide. The label discovered and nurtured a roster of legendary artists, including Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez, and Barbara Tucker, whose timeless tracks like “I Like to Move It” and “Beautiful People” became dancefloor staples.

Naked Music

Founded in 1998 by Dave Boonshoft and Jay Denes, carved out a unique niche in the electronic music scene with its fusion of house, downtempo, and soulful sounds.

Known for its sleek, polished production and emotive soundscapes, the label quickly gained a dedicated following among aficionados of chill-out and deep house music.

Artists like Blue Six, Miguel Migs, and Aya became synonymous with the Naked Music brand, delivering tracks that were as suitable for reflective solo listening as they were for stylish lounge settings.

Prescription Records

Prescription Records, founded in 1993 by deep house maestros Ron Trent and Chez Damier, is revered as one of the most influential labels in the history of house music. Operating out of Chicago, Prescription became synonymous with deep house tracks that pushed the boundaries of the genre.

The label’s commitment to artistic integrity attracted a roster of talented producers and DJs who shared a vision of deep, emotive house music. Tracks like “Morning Factory” and “Sometimes I Feel Like” are celebrated as timeless classics, epitomizing the lush, textured soundscapes that Prescription perfected.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, the label’s impact was profound, shaping the sound of house music globally and influencing a new generation of artists.

How is a deep house music different from regular house music?

Deep house and house music share common roots but have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Here’s how deep house differs from house music;

Song Structure

  • House Music: Typically follows a standard structure with an intro, breakdown, build-up, drop, and outro. The emphasis is on a repetitive 4/4 beat with a clear and consistent bassline, often featuring vocal loops and hooks to maintain energy.
  • Deep House: Also follows a similar structure but tends to have longer, more gradual build-ups and breakdowns. The song structure in deep house is often more fluid and extended, allowing for a more immersive and evolving experience.

Sound and Instrumentation:

  • House Music: Characterized by a prominent bass drum on every beat (four-on-the-floor), bright hi-hats, snare or clap on the second and fourth beats, and a strong emphasis on repetitive, high-energy melodies and vocal samples. Synths and piano riffs are common.
  • Deep House: Features a more subdued and mellow sound, with a focus on deeper basslines and softer percussion. The use of ambient pads, jazzy chords, and soulful vocals is prevalent, creating a more relaxed and introspective atmosphere compared to the more upbeat and energetic house music.

Chord Progressions and Harmonics:

  • House Music: Often utilizes simple, catchy chord progressions designed to keep the dancefloor moving. The harmonic structure is straightforward, emphasizing major and minor triads that support the energetic rhythm.
  • Deep House: Employs more complex and sophisticated chord progressions, frequently incorporating seventh and ninth chords, as well as jazz-influenced harmonies. These progressions add a richer, more textured sound, enhancing the genre’s deep and emotive qualities.

Tempo and Rhythmic Patterns:

  • House Music: Generally has a tempo ranging from 120 to 130 BPM, creating a lively and fast-paced rhythm. The beat is consistent and driving, often featuring syncopated rhythms and offbeat hi-hats to maintain high energy.
  • Deep House: Typically slower, with tempos ranging from 110 to 125 BPM. The rhythmic patterns are more laid-back and groove-oriented, with a greater emphasis on creating a hypnotic and continuous flow, rather than the more aggressive and immediate beats found in traditional house music.

Instrumentation:

  • House Music: Utilizes core elements like drum machines, typically the Roland TR-909 or TR-808, to provide the iconic four-on-the-floor beat. Synthesizers such as the Roland TB-303 and Korg M1 are key for catchy riffs and melodic hooks. Piano stabs and riffs, especially the Korg M1 piano sound, are common. Vocal samples, often in the form of loops, add rhythm and melody. Occasionally, live bass guitar complements electronic basslines, and additional percussion elements like congas, bongos, and shakers enhance rhythmic complexity.

    Deep House: Employs drum machines with softer, muted sounds for a laid-back groove. Synthesizers and ambient pads create a dreamy atmosphere with warm tones. The Rhodes piano and other electric pianos provide warm, jazzy tones for harmonic texture. Deep, rolling basslines contribute to a sense of depth and groove. Occasionally, instruments from jazz and funk, like saxophones and flutes, are used.

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