Electronic Dance Music

When Donna Summer passed away in May, I went back and listened to some of her material. One song in particular, I Feel Love, still touches a chord with me. But more than that, it shows us the origins of modern electronic dance music, these days known simply as EDM. A lot of younger EDM DJs and producers probably aren't aware of the connection, let alone who Donna Summer was. Journalist Russell Smith of the Globe and Mail provided us with the story Donna Summer - German Artist, back in May shortly after Ms. Summer's passing.

While living in Germany and performing in musical theatre and opera, Summer met electronic music pioneer, Giorgio Moroder. As Russel tells us, the music for Love to Love You Baby and I Feel Love was all Moroder's. It was this marriage of German Techno and American R&B that was the genesis of EDM.

Today, EDM has never been stronger. Its influence on contemporary pop music is evident. What I find interesting is that 20 years ago, EDM was strictly an underground music style most often played only in gay clubs. In fact, its in gay clubs where EDM icon David Guetta got his start. The increasing popularity of Beatport, a dedicated EDM platform, reinforces this point.

When recording the tracks for my forthcoming album, I had in mind the idea of taking a couple of them and making EDM versions. So, that is in fact what I've been busy with over the Summer. Look for both a release of my pop material and an EDM EP in the Fall. I hope to team up the the guys at B.O.D.B Entertainment and DJ Cristangelo. Never stay still, right? - Jeffrey Carl