Does Motown Influence Modern Chart Music?

Gudders · 05-20-2014, 05:38 PM

Hi guys,

I'm writing an essay on the influence Motown has on modern chart music for university. It would be interesting to hear peoples opinions on the subject and would really help me out a lot.

If you could leave your name, age and your opinion on my question: "Does Motown Influence Modern Chart Music?" that would be brilliant.

Thanks,

Nate

Rexx Shredd · 06-09-2014, 08:43 AM

Well, you are in the UK and I am in the US, so our "charts" will vary....but, from what I can see and hear: Only in recent years is "retro R&B" influencing modern artists. Amy Winehouse, among others, was certainly bringing back the Motown vibe but - these days - its a retro flavor.

The biggest difference between Motown (mid 20th Century R&B in general) and modern Nu-R&B is the function of the bottom end: earlier R&B, the bottom is supplied by the bass guitar while Nu-R&B, thick bottom is supplied by analog bass/kick drums such as 808, 909, or SP-1200. This makes a gigantic difference between the mechanics of composing the music. Real musicians actually playing the music gives Motown an organic quality not found in the loop/sample approach of Nu-R&B such as Usher's or Ke$ha's music

As a matter of fact, Im not sure why its called Nu-R&B: it should be called just "R" because there isn't any "B" in it to be found anywhere

Carpe Mortem · 06-09-2014, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rexx Shredd

Well, you are in the UK and I am in the US, so our "charts" will vary....but, from what I can see and hear: Only in recent years is "retro R&B" influencing modern artists. Amy Winehouse, among others, was certainly bringing back the Motown vibe but - these days - its a retro flavor.

The biggest difference between Motown (mid 20th Century R&B in general) and modern Nu-R&B is the function of the bottom end: earlier R&B, the bottom is supplied by the bass guitar while Nu-R&B, thick bottom is supplied by analog bass/kick drums such as 808, 909, or SP-1200. This makes a gigantic difference between the mechanics of composing the music. Real musicians actually playing the music gives Motown an organic quality not found in the loop/sample approach of Nu-R&B such as Usher's or Ke$ha's music

As a matter of fact, Im not sure why its called Nu-R&B: it should be called just "R" because there isn't any "B" in it to be found anywhere

05-20-2014, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gudders Groupie Join Date: May 2014 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 1	Does Motown Influence Modern Chart Music? Hi guys, I'm writing an essay on the influence Motown has on modern chart music for university. It would be interesting to hear peoples opinions on the subject and would really help me out a lot. If you could leave your name, age and your opinion on my question: "Does Motown Influence Modern Chart Music?" that would be brilliant. Thanks, Nate

06-09-2014, 08:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rexx Shredd Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 158	Well, you are in the UK and I am in the US, so our "charts" will vary....but, from what I can see and hear: Only in recent years is "retro R&B" influencing modern artists. Amy Winehouse, among others, was certainly bringing back the Motown vibe but - these days - its a retro flavor. The biggest difference between Motown (mid 20th Century R&B in general) and modern Nu-R&B is the function of the bottom end: earlier R&B, the bottom is supplied by the bass guitar while Nu-R&B, thick bottom is supplied by analog bass/kick drums such as 808, 909, or SP-1200. This makes a gigantic difference between the mechanics of composing the music. Real musicians actually playing the music gives Motown an organic quality not found in the loop/sample approach of Nu-R&B such as Usher's or Ke$ha's music As a matter of fact, Im not sure why its called Nu-R&B: it should be called just "R" because there isn't any "B" in it to be found anywhere __________________ OK :) URBAN SHOKKER -- Old School P-Funk Style FUNK -- out NOW on Carbon 12 Records