Topaz - acid jazz?

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   I'm a bit of a fan of the jazz band Topaz for awhile now. They're a very obscure band that not many people have heard of, so  I scoured the internet looking for info on them. Every site or information outlet I've come across lists them as being 'acid jazz', which if I'm familiar is a descriptor for jazz that mixes itself with club music, turntabalism, and other DJ-isms of electronic music. I've collected two of Topaz' most "popular" albums and listen to them both in full several times (Listen! (2000) and The Zone (2002)) and neither of them contain such a sound. Instead, to me, it's much more jazz-funk oriented, something you'd see from 1970's Donald Byrd or Herbie Hancock. I am aware that the band got more into the afro-dub scene the longer their career went on, but regardless I don't believe these two albums fit in the acid jazz category.
Listen! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9ofyB0_qPY
The Zone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7vAs4PdBs
Their page

What do you guys think? I just see very little discussion on this and I need my mind either made up or changed some way. 

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aglasshouse Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Newbie Joined: 05 Dec 2014 Location: US Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote aglasshouse Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Topaz - acid jazz? Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:34am
	I'm a bit of a fan of the jazz band Topaz for awhile now. They're a very obscure band that not many people have heard of, so I scoured the internet looking for info on them. Every site or information outlet I've come across lists them as being 'acid jazz', which if I'm familiar is a descriptor for jazz that mixes itself with club music, turntabalism, and other DJ-isms of electronic music. I've collected two of Topaz' most "popular" albums and listen to them both in full several times (Listen! (2000) and The Zone (2002)) and neither of them contain such a sound. Instead, to me, it's much more jazz-funk oriented, something you'd see from 1970's Donald Byrd or Herbie Hancock. I am aware that the band got more into the afro-dub scene the longer their career went on, but regardless I don't believe these two albums fit in the acid jazz category. Listen! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9ofyB0_qPY The Zone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7vAs4PdBs Their page What do you guys think? I just see very little discussion on this and I need my mind either made up or changed some way.
	Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. More music stuff from me: http://fryingpanmedia.blogspot.com/

js Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 35574	Post Options Post Reply Quote js Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 10:18am
	I always listen to albums before we add them to make sure they have right tag, and I rarely trust other sources other than my own ears and my several decades of performing music like this. I will give these guys another listen to make sure they have the right tag and get back to you about this, just give me a little time to check this out. Keep in mind, the line between acid jazz and funk jazz is very thin sometimes, and quite often either tag could fit. The Brand New Heavies debut comes to mind as an album that could wear either tag.

js Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 35574	Post Options Post Reply Quote js Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:42pm
	Okay, I just listened to the live album and Acid jazz is the wrong tag for that album. The album starts off as a funk jazz album, but then they veer off into psychedelic fusion for the rest of the album. As far as this site goes, this album would best be tagged Classic Fusion. Our definition of Funk Jazz revolves around bands like The Meters, The JBs, Herbie's "Hang Up Your Hangups" etc, the pure stuff. The Topaz live album is more diverse than that. I changed the tag. I'll check out the other albums over the next few days and get back to you.

aglasshouse Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Newbie Joined: 05 Dec 2014 Location: US Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote aglasshouse Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:24pm
	Alright, cool. I also personally think of them in my head as being a jazz fusion (especially with Listen) band but I thought that was a bit too bold of a descriptor to through out there. Good thing you guys are so open minded! Small trifle I know, but the cover for Listen doesn't seem to be the same size as the other covers. Here's a better sized image if you feel it necessary.
	Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. More music stuff from me: http://fryingpanmedia.blogspot.com/

snobb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site Admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Vilnius Status: Offline Points: 29938	Post Options Post Reply Quote snobb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 11:22pm
	^ cover changed

js Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 35574	Post Options Post Reply Quote js Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 2:45am
	Listening to "The Zone", this album is mostly acid jazz, with some cuts that lean in a fusion direction. Granted this album is more substantial than most acid jazz albums, but acid jazz still seems to be the best tag for this album. Edited by js - 28 Oct 2017 at 2:45am

jazzlover98 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Newbie Joined: 07 Jan 2018 Location: California, USA Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote jazzlover98 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Apr 2018 at 9:17pm
	Acid Jazz sounds like something that I should look into because I tend to like the elevator/club subtype of electronic music and I am obviously a jazz fan.. A fusion of the two? Count me in.