Hardbag
Encyclopedia
Hardbag was a genre
of electronic dance music
popular in the mid 1990s. Having evolved out of the handbag house scene in 1993-1994, the genre enjoyed massive, albeit brief, popularity, with several hardbag releases achieving positions in the upper echelons of the UK chart. It was at the time sometimes confused with Nu-NRG
, yet the styles were discernibly different.
"Don't You Want Me
" by Felix is largely considered to be the track that launched the hardbag explosion. Produced by Rollo Armstrong
of Faithless
, Red Jerry
and Felix, "Don't You Want Me" was released in 1992, scoring a Top 10 placing on the UK singles chart.
The popularity of the hardbag genre reached its zenith in 1995 with releases by Candy Girls, Rollo & Sister Bliss
and Mrs Wood
all crossing over into the mainstream. Indeed, the sound began to meld with happy hardcore
, evident on tracks such as "Forever young" by Interactive and "Rainbow Islands"- Seb.
The two most influential exponents of the sound were Dutch
producer Patrick Prins (who, recording a variety of aliases, scored several large UK club and chart hits such as "Bits + pieces" - Artemesia) and the late Tony De Vit
, whose hardbag composition "Burning Up" is still considered one of the definitive examples of the genre. Another great presence in the hardbag scene was Red Jerry
, former head of Hooj Choons
. Other influential producers include Sister Bliss
and Paul Masterson
, the latter of whom diversified hardbag remixes to incorporate hi-nrg
elements
By early 1997 the hardbag craze had died down, and the sound began involving into what was to eventually become UK hard house
. Labels such as Tripoli Trax expounded this sound via releases such as "Bells of revolution" by Lemon 8 and "Raise your hands" by Knuckleheadz.
The following releases are considered classic examples of the genre:
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
popular in the mid 1990s. Having evolved out of the handbag house scene in 1993-1994, the genre enjoyed massive, albeit brief, popularity, with several hardbag releases achieving positions in the upper echelons of the UK chart. It was at the time sometimes confused with Nu-NRG
Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG describes a form of high-tempo disco music as well as a genre of electronic dance music originating in the United States during the late 1970s...
, yet the styles were discernibly different.
"Don't You Want Me
Don't You Want Me (song)
"Don't You Want Me" is a dance / electronic song recorded by British DJ and producer Francis Wright, known under the pseudonym of Felix. It was released as his debut single from his album #1 in late 1992. Musically, it samples Jomanda's "Don't You Want My Love" and credited as Felix featuring Jomanda...
" by Felix is largely considered to be the track that launched the hardbag explosion. Produced by Rollo Armstrong
Rollo Armstrong
Rollo Armstrong is one half of the music producers/remixers team Rollo and Sister Bliss and is a founding member of the electronic music group Faithless.-Early life:...
of Faithless
Faithless
Faithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
, Red Jerry
Red Jerry
Jerry Dickens, better known by his stage name Red Jerry, is an English DJ, music producer and remixer of trance music.He was also of a member of Lost Tribe along with Matt Darey. He was founder of the recently resurrected Hooj Choons. His remixes can be found on numerous DJ compilations and mixes...
and Felix, "Don't You Want Me" was released in 1992, scoring a Top 10 placing on the UK singles chart.
The popularity of the hardbag genre reached its zenith in 1995 with releases by Candy Girls, Rollo & Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss is a British keyboardist, record producer, DJ, composer and songwriter. In the studio she is best known for her work with Rollo Armstrong, particularly as part of the now disbanded dance group Faithless.She started music at the age of five, when she learned how to play the piano...
and Mrs Wood
Mrs Wood
Mrs Wood is a female DJ and record producer involved in the hardbag and UK techno scene. Mrs Wood first came to prominence via her output on the React record label...
all crossing over into the mainstream. Indeed, the sound began to meld with happy hardcore
Happy hardcore
Happy hardcore, also known as happycore, is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo , often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of hardcore techno, which tend to be "darker". It is typically in...
, evident on tracks such as "Forever young" by Interactive and "Rainbow Islands"- Seb.
The two most influential exponents of the sound were Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
producer Patrick Prins (who, recording a variety of aliases, scored several large UK club and chart hits such as "Bits + pieces" - Artemesia) and the late Tony De Vit
Tony De Vit
Tony De Vit was a British club DJ, Producer and Remixer and one of the most influential of his generation. He was credited with helping to take the "Hard house" and fast "Hard NRG" sounds out of the London gay scene and into mainstream clubs...
, whose hardbag composition "Burning Up" is still considered one of the definitive examples of the genre. Another great presence in the hardbag scene was Red Jerry
Red Jerry
Jerry Dickens, better known by his stage name Red Jerry, is an English DJ, music producer and remixer of trance music.He was also of a member of Lost Tribe along with Matt Darey. He was founder of the recently resurrected Hooj Choons. His remixes can be found on numerous DJ compilations and mixes...
, former head of Hooj Choons
Hooj Choons
Hooj Choons is a house record label formed by Alex Simons and Red Jerry in 1990. The first release was "Carnival de Casa" by Rio Rhythm Band, however, it was not until 1992's release of Felix's "Don't You Want Me", which Red Jerry and Faithless founder-member Rollo co-produced, that Hooj Choons...
. Other influential producers include Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss is a British keyboardist, record producer, DJ, composer and songwriter. In the studio she is best known for her work with Rollo Armstrong, particularly as part of the now disbanded dance group Faithless.She started music at the age of five, when she learned how to play the piano...
and Paul Masterson
Paul Masterson
Recording as Amen! UK he had a hi-NRG hit with "Passion", released by Deconstruction Records in 1995, and as Paul Masterson presents Sushi, had another hit with "The Earthshaker" in 2002...
, the latter of whom diversified hardbag remixes to incorporate hi-nrg
Hi-NRG
Hi-NRG describes a form of high-tempo disco music as well as a genre of electronic dance music originating in the United States during the late 1970s...
elements
By early 1997 the hardbag craze had died down, and the sound began involving into what was to eventually become UK hard house
UK Hard house
UK Hard House or simply Hard House is a style of Hard Dance music that emerged in the 1990s.-Sound:Proper hard house is typified by a set formula of up-tempo house music compressed kick drums, signature style off-beat basslines and the use of 'hoover' type sounds...
. Labels such as Tripoli Trax expounded this sound via releases such as "Bells of revolution" by Lemon 8 and "Raise your hands" by Knuckleheadz.
The following releases are considered classic examples of the genre:
- 1992: Don't You Want Me - Felix (Deconstruction label, UK #6)
- 1994: La luna - The Ethics (produced by Patrick Prins) (Effective label, UK #13)
- 1994: Crayzy man - Blast (Media label, UK #22)
- 1994: The Ultimate - Antic (Hooj Choons, UK #71)
- 1995: Burning Up - Tony De Vit (:VC: label, UK #25)
- 1995: Hooked - 99th Floor Elevators feat. Tony De Vit (Labello Dance, UK #28)
- 1995: To the Limit - Tony De Vit (:VC: label, UK #44)
- 1995: Play this House - BB Club (Positiva label, UK #65)
- 1995: Bits + Pieces - Artemesia (Hooj Choons, UK #46)
- 1995: Let's Whip it up - Sleaze Sisters Feat. Vicki Shepard (UK #46)
- 1995: Listen to the Rhythm Flow - Diva Rhythms (Tripoli Trax)
- 1995: Fee fi fo fum - Candy Girls (:VC: label, UK #23)
- 1995: Wham Bam - Candy Girls (:VC: label, UK #20)
- 1995: Oh!What a World - Sister Bliss (Go! Beat label, UK #40)
- 1995: U Girls - Nush (:VC: label, UK #15)
- 1995: Passion - Amen UK (Deconstruction label, UK #15)
- 1995: Joanna - Mrs Wood (React label, #34; Joanna was remixed by Sash! in 1997, peaking at #31)
- 1996: Forever Young (Red JerryRed JerryJerry Dickens, better known by his stage name Red Jerry, is an English DJ, music producer and remixer of trance music.He was also of a member of Lost Tribe along with Matt Darey. He was founder of the recently resurrected Hooj Choons. His remixes can be found on numerous DJ compilations and mixes...
remix - Interactive, UK #28)