Electronic Dance Music (EDM) developed in the 1970s. Dance music nightclubs
(discos), radio stations, shows became popular. After many years living outside of urban centers, I
returned to Vancouver and explored a variety of discotheques. The essentials
were a dance floor, beer and liquor, drugs, big speakers and loud sound. Often A
DJ presided over the deafening festivities. The electronic music that
became popular was also heard in the aerobics classes in fitness centers.
"By the late 1970s many major US cities had thriving disco club scenes which
were centered around discothèques, nightclubs, and private loft parties where
DJs would play disco hits through powerful PA systems for the dancers. The DJs
played "... a smooth mix of long single records to keep people 'dancing all
night long. Some of the most prestigious clubs had elaborate lighting systems
that throbbed to the beat of the music..."
The sound sample looping and sequencing that began with disco developed into
trance, house and techno music. Computers and increasingly sophisticated
software became the heart of recording studios and permitted people with little
or no music training to produce music albums.
P2500 Band Music arranged and perfromed by Stephen Gislason
Le Freak
Runaway
Ladies Night
One More Time
Lucky Star
Dear Lady
Children
Tribal dance
Your Woman
These Persona recordings were created in 2008-9 and remixed July 2016. My
goal was to retain musical qualities including melody, harmony rhythmic
variations, and interesting instrumental timbres. A percussion groove is, of
course, essential to the dance music genre. I enjoyed doing the remixes but
would not seek a steady diet of disco-trance.
Le Freak
Runaway
Dear Lady
Your Woman
Music emerged along with dance – rhythmic body movements that expressed
emotion, displayed sexuality and enhanced group cohesion. Birds and animals
dance, often in courtship rituals, sometimes in ritualized aggressive-defensive
displays. Sitting in a chair to listen to music and to watch dance performance
is a recent aberration that denies the group-music-dance connections.
Persona Music Recordings: Our Music Catalogue includes recorded performances
under the titles Persona Digital, P2500 Band, Em4U, and the Persona Classical Consort. Music online is offered to illustrate music history, advance music education and appreciation. The recordings presented online demonstrate Persona
Studio's arranging, recording and mastering techniques. All the recordings are
arrangements and performances completed in house by Stephen Gislason. The music selections and their history
are explained in the book, Sound of Music.
Topics presented at Persona Digital Studio are from the
The Sound of Music by
Stephen Gislason Click Download to order the eBook
Persona Digital publishesa series of books on current topics in
music, psychology, neuroscience and philosophy. eBooks can be quickly downloaded at reduced cost as PDF files.
