So what do you get if you cross the Speakeasy dance music of prohibition era America the Beats, Rhymes and Basslines of today’s clubland. Well if we are to take a rather sideways glance at it all we can find lounging tenuously somewhere in the middle, a phenomenon known as Electro Swing. The name is often simultaneously spurned and embraced by those acts which have fallen under its umbrella and who grace the compilations of the same name. Whilst the daddys of the scene such as G Swing and Parov Stellar are largely House influenced, acts such as The Correspondents, Chinese Man and Swedish crew, Movits draw a touch more heavily on the Hip-hop side. You even have Dutty Monshine dipping into the Dubstep arena . Regardless of the beats however, all carry the infectious bounce and, erm… swing, of legends such as Benny Goodman and Count Basie, remixed and reimagined for the modern clubber. This often Dadaist dip into the past can be taken to all elements though. Vintage shops are on the rise and certain 20s and 30s fashions have already had something of a High Street revival, whilst in the meantime, rappers such as Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer or Mr Bruce from the Correspondents are more likely to be seen in blazers and boaters than hoodies and caps. Particularly in the UK, the scene is ripe for the adoption of a British dandy’s impeccable style and panache. But why stop with just the music and clothes though? How good would it be to see dances such as the Charleston reinterpreted through modern Street Dance? There’s already a crossover, with many of today’s Breakdancers introducing touches of it into their repertoire. If you’re one of them then there’s now the perfect opportunity to throw down some Lindy Hip-hop dance routines, or for any budding Chaps and Ladies to break out their Tweed Suits and Flapper Dresses.
Dutty moonshine swing hop promo by Dutty Moonshine
First Saturday of Every Month… kicking off with Matt The Hat, Kaptin + Moneyshot on October 2nd.
Listen out for the Electro Swing special on Rob Da Bank’s show (BBC Radio 1 on Saturday, October 9 · 5:00am – 7:00am)
