It’s hard to imagine a time when Hip-Hop wasn’t the cultural tour de force that it is today, one might assume it had always been the dominant force in youth culture . However, long before sample-heavy, beat-making practices became prominent, another genre had already been redefining social norms and expectations—Jazz. Cool, expressive, and highly improvisational from the 1920s through the 1950s: Big bands, swinging rhythms, and saxophones galore. The genre later redefined itself in the 1960s, merging with other styles like Funk, Rock, and World Music, eventually leading into what we now know as Jazz Fusion. This style pushed rhythmic innovation forward, emphasizing groove-centric arrangements.

Amidst this development, the Reagan administration defunded music and arts programs in the early 80s. This caused a huge butterfly effect, where a generation of potential singers and musicians had to find another artistic outlet: Hip Hop. This was devastating to many African American communities but fortunately, few kids on the block still managed to have access to Jazz records and instruments. Propelling them a unique opportunity to continue the legacy of Black music DNA.

Repping from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Three teenagers: keyboardist James Lloyd, bassist Cedric Napoleon, and drummer Curtis Harmon. Named after a Peggy Lee tune, the Jazz based trio pulled from many musical styles and often showcased singers.
They quickly got the attention of Jazz Legend, Grover Washington Jr., and were signed to his production company, distributed by Elektra Records. A career that spawned the trio many US Black radio hits in the process.

One of the things I've appreciated about the trio was their chill, fresh nature. Jazz is usually seen as an older man's game: free spirited and lots of philosophical energy. Yet these guys combined those traits and made it distinctively their own. Smooth is understatement but really these guys were Instrumentation Gods

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Warm Weather (1981)

As the singer sings, this track is so mellow. The voice of Barbara Walker complements the evening beach production. The trio do their thing with the help of the synthwork of Dexter Wansel. Curtis drums add the sense of clarity to the piece It's moody Funk with a dash of serene, seagull chirping Jazz. An early example of their ability to fuse genres. Smooth sailing indeed.

Fo Fi Fo (1983)

Shout out to my man 454 , but for real, this is as mystifying as it sounds. Dedicated to Moses Malone & The Sixers Sweep in the 1983 NBA Finals. Based on Malone's legendary prediction, the trio are able to craft a piece that eschews tarot fortune. That Latin-esque percussive pattern
like a clock ticking helps compose the groove. The guitar solo, near the end , takes the cake for it's slight rockish nature It is so high powered and cool: the Philly way. A Jazz Funk Exchange that is perfect for a late night drive.

It's Time For Love (1983)

That thunder inducing bass groove that contrasts with the rainy alto sax is a treasure. A time for midnight love making, the groove is slow and steady. It takes it time with the listener before reaching climax. Cedric did a fine job showcasing his crooning. He yearns with a crispy pancake tonality that can make one's ears melt.

Winning Streak (1986)

This song just oozes with Nike's and gold medals The breakdown is audio bliss. Guitar and bass are apparent but it's not in your face. A gradual melody. Sounds like a cut straight out of Rick James Glow era. It's a magical yet upstanding tune that is perfect for a workout or hell even a fashion show. As the singer notes "I'm on a roll", continuing the groups successful formula of producing cool sounding music.

To conclude, Pieces Of A Dream were a snapshot. A glimpse of a world where Hip Hop didn't exist. Like the rappers of their day, they were just as raw and cool. They embodied the concept of Jazz Fusion and presented a sonic template that many Black youth gravitated towards to. Their songs were played in the block parties, skating rinks, and cookouts. It's a testament to their to bring a much needed youth presence when the genre was moving to an older audience. Artists such as Najee, Boney James, etc have carried their smooth sensibilities but none have captured the gritness that the trio had honed. A piece of a dream, it brings the question: What if music programs weren't cut. Would Hip Hop still be around? Or Would Jazz Funk lead the force in a trajectory that would begat more Jazz Fusion and R&B based instrumentals rising? I guess we'll never know

Happy Black History Month, ya'll! Enjoy the rest of this month and continue pushing on for the culture

Love threads like this

super interesting concept damn

also this pieces of a dream is sooooo fire thank you

I got you breh

if hiphop didnt happen then i think either a form of electronic music such as house would be the dominate black modern genre, or a resurgence of funk or disco - that would be the genre of the "street"n youth into "today"

sampling already existed right before rap in the electronic scene again with things like house, dnb, garage etc. and also existed in some disco and electro songs (which a lot of early-early rap songs before it had a real genre tag were based off of disco such as kurtis blow in the east or electro such as arabian prince in the west)

i dont think new jack swing happens tho since you need the influence for it - but maybe a different hybrid version with funk/disco/house and rnb could have happened with the similar motifs just more "upbeat" on average

then i could see all these genres get blended into a "black pop" generalization tag and distilied into a blend that the most mainstream of the mainstream is going off of the vein of prince/mj/rick james/james brown that has some soul underlinings - while the more "real" or "underground" has more of the electronic or funk or jazz undertones with their own sub genres of the 3 splits

and this would be ""urban"" modern music without Rap

It's interesting to note, considering there was the whole Disco Is Dead protest back in the late 70s as well. But Disco would later go underground and become Boogie which later lead into House, Techno, and so forth.

I also think we would definitely see an early version of Neo Soul taking off, with people getting tired of the electronic, glossy styled components of Black music during that time period.

disco was getting played out on mainstream "white" level but it was still very much being a black thing and as u said goes undeground for a bit

and the early jumping off points of real early rap such as electronic and disco influences points to black people listening to them still and still very much being ppart of the in-thing at the time

but facts, thats why i think a "new jack swing"-like genre will still happen just more upbeat in the 90s branching off of the prolonged black electronic interest - while the more poppier side take in more soul influence in the 90s n 2000s

very interesting

Some other dope Pieces Of A Dream tracks

Steady Glide (1981)

MT Airy Groove (1982)

Night Vision (2001)

@JR @viscera @cut @Warren_Peace @Snowboy @Hydrogotit

Something more upbeat than NJS? That's crazy to me considering how good natured it was

nah i mean in tempo

lot of new jack swing was still overall dance music but it slowed down compared to disco n electronic due to the hiphop influence, which in general rap slowed everything down even pop bpm wise

Oh I get you

Offtopic, we need more of that right now in Black music imo

Not gonna happen, nightclubs aren't popping like they used to

I blame that on COVID

It kind of hurt those vibes to be frank

@proper @Slapfiendd @Sk8brdKee
@Embezzle @Midds @Notmyfirst @xingu

Mt Airy Groove

Think I played their warm weather album. Need to peep more

Mt Airy Groove is what I was thinking about. The Ultimate block party jam . This song samples this too:

I recommend their first album as well. A great starting point

@op played this albun bout to switch to another one

Hell yes woadie

Good sample to chop at the beginning of this

So funky yet so clean