At first, the music that
was played was exclusively American imports. Most featured
from artists such as Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock,
Lonnie Listen Smith and Roy Ayers. These were
artists that had a long apprenticeship within the world
of Jazz, but had now decided to try their hand with
incorporating Funk music into their
playing styles.
Many records that were
labeled Jazz /Funk within that period
of time were really straight forward Soul tracks.
Jazz/Funk music was much more of a
British phenomenon in much so much
that the music that was being championed over here within
the UK. As it wasn't being accepted or appreciated within
the USA; where these artists actually learned their
trade from, or were born there. Musicians such as Lonnie
Liston Smith noticed this by quoting,
"Jazz/Funk is the music of the 80's, and it's too
early for the Usa".
The Jazz/Funk
music movement within the UK, wasn't just wholy
about the music. It was about the dance music culture
as well. We had ( within the UK ) created a movement
and a culture of our own.
Taking the initial ideas
from the Northern Soul scene of the late 1960's
and early 1970's, (a scene in which
the North of England was dedicated "and
still is to the musical Soul music styles of the labels
such as Staxx, Motown and other quality,
yet obscure Deep South Soul music of America
that was prominent during the late 1960's!!
- Ask about clubs such as the Wigan Casino,
in Wigan; and The Torch Club in Stoke, both in Northern
England) The notion of all dayers and all-nighters,
bank holidays parties began to become fashionable in
the Southern areas of England (London, Colchester
and many parts of Essex!!) for Jazz Funk music - in
the early 1980's.
A series of all nighters
took place at venues such as the Goldmine and
Lacey Lady at the Canvey Island, in
Essex, England (That were geared for Jazz Funk Music).
These venues helped create enough momentum to create
enough interest for an even larger events to take place.
It was at the event called the Caister Weekender
in Great Yarmouth, England; that saw for the
first time an event truly dedicated towards the appreciation
of the Funky sounds of America ; plus the the addition
of everybody's favourite - Jazz/Funk music.
The Caister Soul
Weekenders became very popular, very quickly.
Alot of "high jinks" took
place there as well which saw a mixture wild party antics
like shaving foam attacks in the middle of the
night or morning, and sexy clothing competitions.
Because of the popularity
of the music, events such as the Caister Soul
Weekenders were attracting people from all
parts of England!!! Many bands that were booked to play
at these events were up and coming UK bands, who were
inspired by the same music coming from the states. Leading
exponents were Light of World, Hi Tension, Central
Line, UK Players and Second Image.
The group called Hi Tension
wereone of the first UK Funk - Jazz /Funk bands
to gain a top ten chart recognition with the track "Hi-Tension",
and then with a second single called "The
British Hustle".
But for some reason or
another Hi-Tension with all before
them didn't break through as expected. Everyone in the
music business thought that it was only a matter of
time that they went on capture the Uk Hearts. But nothing
every went accordingly to plan. And they were soon to
break up.
