About this Playlist
I’ll never forget playing this gig in a club a while back wherein the drummers girlfriend and a group of her friends where in the audience somewhat disinterested. Mid song she came over and requested to her man on the kit that we play something that was “4 On The Floor.” The band immediately accommodated with something up-tempo and indeed his kick drum did not waiver from the steady pulse of 1 2 3 4. They are married now. And it appeared to me that her girls had a good time too.
Whether you’re a band or a DJ this type of groove is infectious, energizing, and always dance worthy. When you hear that simple cadence of the low end, you know you’re in for an exciting time. Tracks with this groove tend to be feel good songs. However, sometimes it can be written off as just the “Disco Beat” or “boom boom boom boom.” In it’s simplest form it is a tried and true foundation for many styles of dance music. This collaborative playlist delves into different creative uses of the “4 On The Floor” kick drum pattern. It highlights an array of various genres and tempos. It is mainly compiled of more modern tunes, but at the very end there are a couple vintage groovers for ya.
The opening track “I’m Feeling You” by Amp Fiddler is a prime example of what a “4 On The Floor” groove sounds like, and what it delivers. In theory the beat is so simple that the ability to make it come to life and not be redundant is the art form at play here. The next track “Cash” by Cody Currie and MiK is so damn hot. They have achieved the pulsing pocket in which every dance floor craves in a very musical, beautiful way. But not all 4OTF grooves have to be in the Disco or House camp. For example, the song “Wavy” by 79.5 has a moderate Latin feel. Or Erykah Badu’s Dilla inspired “Me” is mellow, vibrant and pulling way back on the grid while still keeping the bass drum steady. Then there is “Tomorrow’s Promise” by K15 and “SAMURAI” by Jazztronik that are within the framework of this pattern, but syncopate the kick drum placement. Like a Jazz approach to this type of driving beat. They still have that oomph though if ya know what we mean.
So why do we love this groove so much? There is probably a very logical, primitive, and scientific explanation to that question, but this playlist seems like a much more enjoyable approach to understanding it. Either way you’ll probably want to dance, and you and your friends will feel great.
