Liquid Funk Music Guide: History and Sounds of Liquid Funk

Liquid funk, also called liquid drum and bass or liquid DnB, is a subgenre of drum and bass that uses synthesized and natural instrumental layers to create a soft EDM ambience.

While liquid funk utilizes the electronic basslines and synth beats similar to other drum and bass genres, it draws inspiration from the harmonies and atmospheres of jazz, breakbeat, and funk music.

The term “liquid” typically refers to an ambient or atmospheric feeling in a style of electronic music, such as dubstep or EDM.

Liquid funk emerged in the early 2000s, but traces its roots back to the jungle music scene in the UK:

• The jungle music scene: In the early ‘80s and ‘90s UK, electronic music was shifting away from the hardcore sounds of early rave, trance, and house music. The new, preferred style was called jungle and featured breakbeats of funk, jazz, and disco, lighter sampling, as well as synthesized effects.
• Liquid funk emerges: In the year 2000, electronic music producer Fabio introduced his album Liquid Funk Volume 1, which blended ambient styles into the jungle sound, and was also one of the first uses of the term “liquid funk” to describe this new style.
• Growth and new artists: Throughout the mid-2000s, liquid funk grew in popularity and eventually became one of the largest subgenres of drum and bass music. Many artists adopted the style, including Lenzman, Zero T, Eveson, and Spectrasoul. Welsh DJ and producer High Contrast released his Tough Guys Don’t Dance album in 2007, which became one of the most listened to drum and bass albums.
• Resurgence of liquid funk: In 2015, the British rapper DRS collaborated with liquid drum and bass artists Tyler Daley and LSB to release “The View.” While liquid funk has declined in popularity, record labels like Liquicity and Hospital records continue to promote artists who keep the sound alive.

Liquid funk has many characteristics that distinguish it from other electronic music styles, including:

1. 1. Reverb and echoes: Sounds and vocals are treated with an echo effect that creates a soothing, calmer ambience.
2. 2. Vocals: Original vocals, or vocals sampled from other artists, are used throughout liquid funk and are often looped along with beats.
3. 3. Sampled drum loops: Heavy or lightweight drum beats are often looped at a high or medium tempo.
4. 4. Delicate synths: Synthetic sounds and beats are more mellow and atmospheric.
5. 5. Natural sounds: In addition to sampled beats and vocals, liquid funk producers often sample sounds of nature to create an environmental ambience.

Many artists have emerged since the beginning of the liquid funk genre, creating a significant scene today.

• Fabio: A producer and the creator of the liquid funk genre whose album, Liquid Funk Volume 1, was one of the original liquid drum and bass albums.
• Alix Perez: A producer originally from Belgium but based in New Zealand whose music has been released by many prominent labels, such as Liquid V. and Creative Source.
• Netsky: A producer from Belgium known for instrumental layers and sampled vocals and is best known for his song “Rio” and "I See the Future in Your Eyes."
• London Elektricity: A DJ team that originally included electronic music producers Tony Colman and Chris Goss. The two formed Hospital Records, which is home to many popular liquid funk and dance music artists.
• Maduk: A Dutch electronic music producer who founded Liquicity, a record label and YouTube channel promoting liquid music.
• Calibre: A drum and bass music producer from Northern Ireland who is also a classically trained musician.
• Chase & Status: Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status) make up Chase & Status, best known for their hit songs “Blind Faith” and “All Goes Wrong.”
• Loadstar: An electronic music duo with Gavin “Xample” Harris and Nick “Lomax” Hill, who went on to work on “Dawn Wall.”
• Makoto: A drum and bass producer from Japan, Makoto is heavily inspired by 1970s soul, funk, and jazz.
• Commix: A drum and bass DJ team featuring Guy Brewer. Conrad Whittle, and Goerge Levings were previously part of the group.
• Brookes Brothers: A team of electronic music producers based in London. Brothers Phil and Dan Brookes produced a number of hit songs, including “Gold Rush,” “Crackdown,” and “F-Zero.”
• BCee: The stage name of electronic artist Steve Jeffery, who is known for creating melodic tones. BCee also founded his own music label, Spearhead.
• Monrroe: This liquid funk producer is known for highly atmospheric and emotive sounds.
• LTJ Bukem: Owner of the record label Good Looking and a liquid funk artist known for his jazz influences.
• Marcus Intalex: Named Marcus Julian Kaye, the late English drum and bass producer co-hosted the radio show Da Intalex and founded the recording labels Soul:R, Revolve:R, and Birdie.
• Danny Byrd: An English DJ and music producer with strong influences from hip-hop and R&B.
• DJ Marky: A Brazilian-Bahamian DJ of drum and bass music named Marco Antonio da Silva. He evolved his style from the early jungle music sounds of the ‘90s to create liquid drum and bass dancefloor hits.
• Nu:Tone: A British drum and bass music producer named Dan Gresham known for his remixes and wide variety of sounds.

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