Here it is. It has finally happened. The album EDM Anthems 2014, which if I am not mistaken, is the first compilation of electronic dance music hits ever released, is here. This means that EDM (electronic dance music), as it is usually referred to, has now attained widespread acceptance as the dance music form of our times. Just as there was the waltz that evolved from the polka in the late 19th century, which later gave way to the foxtrot and the boogie-woogie, EDM has now come to us as the child of disco and an amalgam of house, techno, trance, dub-step and other electronic musical concoctions.
Once heard only in trendy clubs or as background music to films, commercials, fashion shows and other presentations, EDM has now definitely gone mainstream. It is heard in Top 40 radio. One of last year’s biggest hits was an EDM tune, the Grammy-winning Clarity by Zedd featuring Foxes. The Grammy Awards, where the Best Dance Album category is now called the Best Dance Electronica Album, was dominated by an EDM act this year. The amazing Random Access Memories by the masked Daft Punk duo, was named Album of the Year, Best Dance/Electronica Album and Best Engineered Album. Their single Get Lucky won for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Some of the biggest concert acts today are EDM DJs. They have stepped out of the DJ booth where disco once confined them into the spotlight. And since they cannot simply be playing or mixing records on stage, they have turned their gigs into stunning audio-visual shows. You can count on crowds jostling for tickets when you have names like David Guetta, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Tiesto, Afrojack, Richie Hawtin, Diplo, Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell and other superstar DJs/sound designers on the bill. Needless to say, they are also the top drawers in the new music festivals like the Global Gathering, Ultra Music and the huge Coachella, which is now considered the Woodstock of EDM.
Disc jockeys and disco music who want to keep people dancing, brought about EDM. Of course, it also would never have happened without electronic music instruments. The popping synthesized Popcorn in 1970 provided the idea. Giorgio Moroder in Europe and Nile Rodgers in the US came up with the rhythms. Then with artists like Donna Summer’s Bad Girls and Chic’s Le Freak, providing the moves, the disco revolution became a rousing success. Then as technology advanced and producers and DJs continued experimenting with their ideas, new sounds were born, and so were star acts like Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, the Chemical Brothers and others.
Now, just as even the biggest stars eagerly plunged into recording disco music in the ’80s, Barbra Streisand, Enough Is Enough; Blondie, Call Me; the Bee Gees, Staying Alive; and others, so too are today’s big names taking on the EDM route. The Black Eyed Peas, I Got A Feeling, with David Guetta; Britney Spears, Scream And Shout, with will.i.am; Rihanna, We Found Love with Calvin Harris; and others. I see this as an excellent way for artists to reenergize their careers but whether these collaborations will enhance the popularity or only pollute electronic dance music still remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, those of you out there who are still lost at sea with regards to EDM, here is the album for you. The double-disc, 34-cuts set EDM Anthems 2014, All The Best Electronic Dance Music in One Album! has not only some of the best EDM tunes, it also makes for a very good sampler.
Among the tracks included are: David Guetta featuring Sia, Titanium; Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX, I Love It; Alesso VS. OneRepublic, If I Lose Myself; Armin Van Buuren feat. Trevor Guthrie, This Is What It Feels Like; Swedish House Mafia, Save The World; Calvin Harris feat. Example, We’ll Be Coming Back; Hardwell feat. Amba Shepherd, Apollo; Cash Cash feat. Bebe Rexha, Take Me Home; Afrojack feat. Eva Simons, Take Over Control; Benny Benassi feat. John Legend, Dance The Pain Away; Hardwell feat. Mitch Crown, Call Me A Spaceman; Bingo Players feat. Far East Movement, Get Up; Chuckie feat. Maiday, Skydive; Walden, First Day; Avicii & Lenny Kravitz, Superlove and Baauer, Harlem Shake.
Still on dance music. For those of you who want to do some dancing this weekend, I have very good news. I just found out that AbbaMania will be back at the Solaire Resort and Casino tomorrow, March 29. Just as the return of this famous ABBA review was in response to insistent public demand, this extra show was scheduled to accommodate the many who want to watch AbbaMania and those who so enjoyed the show that they want to see it again.
Here is one more chance to dance and reminisce to the tune of Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All, Thank You For The Music, Super Trouper, Fernando, Knowing Me Knowing You, Chiquitita and other ABBA hits. So if want to be there for AbbaMania’s final performance, don’t forget it will be held at Eclipse Bar of Solaire at 8 p.m.