Middle section

Chambord. “Wonderland.” 2022. Track 1 on Wonderland. Kindisch, https://wearechambord.bandcamp.com/track/chambord-wonderland

This is a ‘Slo House’ dance track. The BPM is 116, it is a dance floor mix that goes for 6 1/2 minutes. There are quite a lot of percussive elements within the drum section. This is a typical 16 bar intro for a dance track with the minimal rhythmic introduction. This allows a DJ to mix out of the previous track and into the new one without a lot of clashing and heavy percussion. From bar 17 on the track is driven forward by the 4/4 kick and clap sounds. Every 8 bars another percussive element is sparingly added. These sounds are quite subtle, consisting of rattles, shakers and cabassa. In the 7th (also sometimes the 3rd) bar of each section of 8 there is a percussive choice made that surprises the listener and keeps them interested. This ranges from a single cymbal crash, to removing some elements from the sound. The vocal does not come in until the 2min12s or bar 65. The hook in to vocal is very simple and repetitive, there are no middle instruments. This style of hypnotic slo dance music achieves interest and excitement by removing the driving drums, bass and percussion sounds that were built up in the introduction. There are a few minimal very short pad sounds that almost act as stabs and there is a faint muddled plucky guitar part that doubles the bassline. In the breakdown at 3min50s (bar 113) the drop of most of the percussion and bass reveals a section of swirly keys and pads. Effects used on the vocals also account for interesting middle frequencies and almost take on a melodic element.

Solar Kings. “A Kings Strut.” 2022. Track 1 on Saraswati. DowntempoLove, https://downtempolove.bandcamp.com/track/a-king-strut.

The tempo of this track sits at 105pm, it is in the ‘House’ genre but is no where near the typical 120bpm driving beat. Instead this track is very laid back and funky, while it is in straight 4/4 time, there is a lot of swung feel to it. Shakers begin the rhythmic introduction of 4 bars before a strong kick and clap take over. Interest is maintained throughout with the addition (and often times subtraction) of many different percussive elements. Pulling from African sounding percussion instruments, they are introduced every 4 or 8 bars. Each of the elements introduced sits within their own frequency and rhythmic area and hence adds to the track without saturating it. Melodic elements begin quite early in this dance track at just under 1min (bar 25). Small repeated melodic motifs of 3 to 4 notes are played and at 1min30s (bar 40) a brass section is introduced for a bar. This is an interesting addition to the very loopy percussive groove. It is almost a bit incongruous to the vibe of the track, but I like it a lot. This little one bar phrase is repeated sparringly (once every 8 bars) until bar 57 when a new section of instrumentation is introduced. Within this instrumental section bars 65-73 are very melodic with string like pads and the brass instruments. This actually is the section of the track I like the least. For me the groovy deep energy becomes over crowded and a little cheesy.

I’ve started mixing my track, I feel I have a good idea of the arrangement. There is definitely work to do in the balance and fine details of the finished track.