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DEEP HOUSE MUSIC
Deep House Music can be reviewed as a sub-style of House Music, but developed its own unique style and culture over the years.

Origins:
House Music first came to a wider audience in the summer of 1986 when a series of records imported directly from Chicago started to dominate the playlist of Europe’s renowned djs of that time. Regardless the fact they had no support from the major national radio networks, three House records made it into the top ten in the charts.

Farley "Jackmaster" Funk "Love Can't Turn Around", Raze's "Jack The Groove", and Steve "Silk" Hurley "Jack Your Body" gave live to the term ‘Jacking’ House. It was a term used by the dancers in Chicago to describe the lively upbeat ecstatic vibe of House Music.

To understand the origin of Deep House Music you need to be aware of the source of House music. House music derived its name from the ‘WareHouse’, a club where the resident DJ Frankie Knuckles mixed disco classics with newer Pop- beats creating an high energetic new form of music.

In the height of the 1970’s disco was gaining popularity but still was considered an underground phenomenon. New York put their mark on the scene with labels such as Prelude, West End, Salsoul, and TK Disco pioneering in the field. Merging Philadelphia dance music with the soulfull vocals of singers in the likes of Loleatta Holloway.

The modern Deep House records of today still feel the influence of some of her famous releases such as “Hit & Run” and “Love Sensation”. Most Chicago DJ's admit a debt to the underground 1970's underground club scene in New York and particularly the original disco-mixer Walter Gibbons, a white DJ who popularised the basic techniques of disco-mixing, then graduated to Salsoul Records where he turned otherwise unremarkable dance records into monumental sculptures of sound.

Most also believe Walter Gibbons was fading in the early history of disco, then in 1984 he resurfaced, and had a new and immediate impact on the development of Chicago House Sound. "Set It Off" a track released on an independent 12” record set fire at “Paradise Garage” a black gay club in NYC. It created a hype with a huge demand which spread troughout the club scene. Giving birth to many versions such as the number 1’s "Set It Off(Party Rock)".

For major house stars like Frankie Knuckles, the disco consul is a pulpit and the DJ is a high priest. The dancers are a fanatical congregation who will dance until dawn, and in some cases demand that the music goes on in an unbroken surge for over 18 hours. Making mixing a religion.

Similar styles in Deep House music development
This is all important to mention to regards of the Deep House culture which found its big break-trough in other forms such as the famous UK Garage style developed in the early 1990’s. Deep House music developed throughout time was influenced by many broad music styles, not only disco was incorporated but also Jazz, Soul music and Blues music. You can safely say that the black music culture had it profound effect on the whole history of the Deep House Genre.

It is therefore debatable where the exact origin lies or when you really could pinpoint the birth of Deep House Music.

You could argue that the soulfull side of Garage, the chords and vocals used in Jackin House or the swinging soul of Disco Music was in fact the first taste of what Deep House has to offer. There is no doubt that the 1990’s gave birth to many influential Deep House music artists, which still leave their mark today.

Influental labels and artists
One of the most famous labels is Naked Music Recordings.

Naked Music is a dance music record label, centered in San Francisco and New York City. It is known for smooth signature Deep House and Downtempo beats. It began life as a production company in New York, in 1992, when founders Dave Boonshoft and Jay Denes scored underground success with releases on indies such as Francois Kevorkian’s Wave Music, and UK’s XL Recordings. A string of high profile remixes followed with artists as diverse as Sade, Kelis, Maxwell and Britney Spears. Blue Six is the alias of producer Jay Denes, whose debut album, Beautiful Tomorrow, delivered a mix of deep house, soulful pop, and smooth jazz. It wasn’t until 1998 the production company became a true record label though.

History insights
So you can say that the cultural origins of Deep House Music go as far back as the 80’s, when tradional music styles were incorporated into House Music. But it really didn’t saw the light until the 90’s. By acceptance of the broad public.

Throughout the 90’s the style developed as artists and DJ’s put their mark and Deep House got it’s roots firmly in the ground. Finding a loyal base of enthusiasts and listeners.

Definition of style
The term ‘Deep’ House, comes from the deep driven bass lines often found in the songs. The use of synth chords and pads, the use of vocals and a distinctive beat that usually can be found between 120 – 125 bpm creates a ‘deep’ atmosphere of sounds…

Yet unmistakably it can be ‘thumped’ up to deliver those ‘dance floor fillers’. Hence giving it a creative freedom in which artists can go a long way. This is important to mention as Deep House is often seen interwoven with Down Tempo or Lounge Music. Over the year’s styles and boarders in House Music faded as new styles were introduced. You can’t define Deep House in one set of rules regarding the use sounds and effects. You have soulful Deep House, Tech Deep House, Ambient Deep House and more. Combining different styles to be incorporated as Deep House music.

Mostly it is a vibe that characters the experience of listening to it. Deep House fans unmistakably create an ‘ear’ for it. As balancing on that fine line of different styles within, it is sometimes arguable when you say this is Deep House. But often it is undeniable and clearly defined by the listener as well as the artist.

Deep House is classy, it’s intellectual and captures the more emotional side of House Music. Not declaring other styles don’t bare emotion, it touches a ‘deeper’ vibe. It can be enjoyed in a club or at home around the coffee table, at lounge bars or in the background of your office. It offers a wide range of spheres and sounds that can be used on almost any occasion. Throughout the late 90’s, and now coming into the new millennium.

Deep House Music Today
Deep House music has come a long way and developed itself as it’s own style and yes even sub-culture. It is enjoyed around the world and expressed throughout the many cultures it represents. The South African continent has a huge base of listeners, as well as Asia, Europe, North & South America and Australia. The biggest market being Europe and North America, with millions of dollars revenue within the electronic dance music scene.

Deep House has its own place in many electronic festivals such as Mystery Land, Secret Garden Festival and many others. Delivering uniqueness and acknowledging its place as an independent style of House Music.

Today you have specific internet radio’s that focus on the Deep House vibe, Dogglounge Radio US, SSRadio UK to name a few and many specific shows that center around Deep House.

Many sites and blogs offer the latest news and insights on the scene, The DeepHousePage, UM Recordings blog,DeepHouse Network, The DeepHouse Cat. And many others

Digital music stores such as BeatPort, Traxsource, Stompy, give Deep House its own category in which you can explore latest releases and artists.

It is safe to say Deep House wasn’t just a phase but earned it own rightfull place in the books of music history.