Hey guys,
im currently writing my bachelors exam in Audiodesign / Sound-Engineering.

Im planning to produce a few 80s Disco Funk / Boogie Songs and explain the workflow, history and usage of sounds and styles of the genre.
My problem: Its hard as hell to find any kind of literature about that certain style, especially scientific work.

Does anyone know books / papers that I could read and quote?

Artists of this genre: D-Train, S.O.S. Band, T-Connection, Midnight Star, Starpoint, Whispers, Curtis Hairston

Would appreciate some help!

 

What? Academy? You're almost on the wrong forum. Here is just for the self-taught experimentalists.

And also remember, people here have unimaginable allergy to the "theory" term. Please don't use it again.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 20, 2016

Come on Foster, dont nasty the guy.He is being polite.
Perhaps other members can point him in the right direction.

 

As you have already said, there isn't much avaliable on the theory side. There is an element of Blues in funk (as in the scale, not the style), so that would be a good place to start. Think James Brown. As in sound-engineering, The predominant thing, was the move away from acoustic bass to synthbass.
The best thing to do would be to deconstuct and remake some tracks. You'll probably learn a lot more that way. Maybe try these.

Sorry I can't be of any real help, but this is the limit of my knowledge on the subject. I had all three of the tracks I posted on 12" vinyl.
P.S. Please excuse @foster911 for his rudeness. Must have forgotten his meds this morning, and I'm sure when he finds them, he'll do the right thing and undo that somewhat silly rating. Anyways. Welcome to the forum.

 

Last edited: Nov 21, 2016

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk

Check the notes and the references at the bottom of the articles...

 

I got this great 90 minute documentary on the (history of) Disco. If you want, I can send it over..
It's Dutch made, but 90% is in English. Only has Dutch subtitles.

 

Take a look at below books. Your topics have been covered broadly.

1- A Left Hand Like GOD- A study of Boogie-Woogie

2- The Story of Boogie-Woogie- A Left Hand Like God

3- Broadway Boogie Woogie- Damon Runyon and The Making of New York City Culture

4- Dream Boogie The Triumph of Sam Cooke

5- Macho Man- The Disco Era and Gay America's "Coming Out"

6- Turn the Beat Around- The Secret History of Disco

7- Disco, Punk, Newwave, Heavy Metal, and More- Music in the 1970s and 1980s

8- Disco Dance

http://uploaded.net/file/lt1ztp7y