If you want to get a small idea of how far music has evolved over the last forty years, “Rainbows And Waterfalls” by Pretty Lights is a good example
This track is actually an adaption of the song “Strawberry Letter 23,” originally made by funk musician Shuggie Otis in 1971. Later, however, in 1977, the song would be made famous by a cover done by Brothers Johnson, from which Pretty Lights got his sample.
Rainbows And Waterfalls (Official Video)
https://www.facebook.com/PrettyLights/videos/10155937736629309/
| Spotify | Apple Music |
Pretty Lights gave this old track new tread with a modern electronic, hip-hop vibe. All the while, he still manages to show some iridescence into the semblance of classic funk. I can’t help but draw some similarity to Gramatik and his electro-jazz fusions, such as ‘Just Jammin.’ Both artists work well at blending music from different eras.
If you want to see what I’m talking about, take a look at the track below and compare the two.
Brothers Johnson – Strawberry Letter 23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0bdLdTJdKI
Listening to the tracks back to back, you can feel how EDM has the ability to embody different forms of music, while opening up new boundaries for what is possible. Rainbows And Waterfalls makes for something interesting and new, yet still reminiscent to funk fans of the 70’s.
Featured Photo: Pretty Lights – ‘Rainbows And Waterfalls’
