Supporting Black Music

Compiled by: Cliff Maske

Albums pictured. Top row: Dark Red by Steve Lacy (Self released), Drunk by Thundercat (Brainfeeder). Middle row:

Cosmic Cars by Cybotron (Deep Space Records), Introduction by Mr. Fingers (MCA Records), Cosmic Cars by Cybrotron (Deep Space Records). Botom Middle Row: Billie Holiday by Billie Holiday (Clef Records), The Best of Nina

Simone by Nina Simone (Sony BMG). Bottom Row: FEET OF CLAY by Earl Sweatshirt (Tan Cressida Warner). 18 | Roundabout

Funk and Its Modern Interpretations Jazz and Its Modern Interpretations

The rise of Chicago House and Detroit Techno came in the ‘80s and ‘90s after the fall of disco. While these two movements were separate, they shared something very important, they were safe spaces for members of this mainly queer and minority subculture. These early movements helped pioneer electronic dance music (EDM) as we know it today. Some artists in this playlist include Cybotron and Scan 7. Funk music came from Black communities in the ‘60s, borrowing from R&B, Soul, and Jazz. This new sound originated from New Orleans, and by the ‘70s had garnered popularity around the world. Even today elements of this sound can be heard across all forms of modern music. Artists in this playlist include Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes and Thundercat, among others. Jazz music also came from New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th century. Jazz originated from a blend of ragtime, marches, blues, and classical music. These elements alongside the genre’s focus on improvisation allowed it to spread rapidly across the US. Artists in this playlist include Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and Earl Sweatshirt, among others.