Topaz - acid jazz?
Printed From: JazzMusicArchives.com
Category: Jazz Music Lounges
Forum Name: Jazz Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific jazz artists/bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.JazzMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6694
Printed Date: 30 Jan 2025 at 2:48pm
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Topic: Topaz - acid jazz?
Posted By: aglasshouse
Subject: Topaz - acid jazz?
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:34am
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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" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9ofyB0_qPY The Zone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7vAs4PdBs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7vAs4PdBs http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/topaz" rel="nofollow - 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/ |
Replies:
Posted By: js
Date 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. |
Posted By: js
Date 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. |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 9:24pm
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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 https://s1.postimg.org/4s0rbzrv3j/Listen.png" rel="nofollow - 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/ |
Posted By: snobb
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 11:22pm
| ^ cover changed |
Posted By: js
Date 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. |
Posted By: jazzlover98
Date 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. |