Motown- Soul Music
Motown (incorporated in 1960 as Motown Record Corporation) is an American record company founded in January 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit, Michigan, under the name Tamla Record Company. Outside the United States, it is sometimes called Tamla-Motown. The company became known primarily for producing and distributing R&B, soul music, and pop music, but continues to sign artists in other genres. In 1988, the company was sold to MCA/Universal and is now owned by the major record label Universal Music Group. Motown Records’ headquarters have been in Los Angeles since 2014. “Motown” is a portmanteau of motor and city, alluding to Detroit, the city of automobiles.
Motown Sound
The term Motown sound was coined by the trade media. It shows the homogeneity of the music production of the record company Tamla Motown Records, which does not exist in absolute form. However, these recordings have some common features that show a uniform sound in most of the recordings. It all started in the company’s own recording studio “Recording Studio A” in the Hitsville Building (2648 West Avenue). From 1959 to 1973 all recordings of the Motown band were produced here almost 24 hours a day. The consistent producers are mainly the composer/writer team Holland/Dozier/Holland, Whitfield/Strong or Ashford/Simpson, who also shaped the sound of Motown with their works and compositions. In addition, Funk Brothers are almost always the same studio musician Their special musical instruments are an important part of this sound. Motown’s trademark is the famous saxophone break, contributed by Mike Terry and Thomas “Beans” Bowles (baritone sax), Hank Cosby (tenor sax) and Teddy Buckner (alto sax). Sachs emphasized their backgrounds and instrumentals, which are highly recognizable. James Jamerson’s bass guitar and Benny Benjamin’s bass drum also form the basis of a unit. Jamerson started most of the meeting and then the drums. “We don’t need notes because we know how the grooves are done.” There is also a typical use of tambourines to emphasize the backhand, prominent, mostly melodic bass guitar, recognizable melody and chord structure, and orchestral violin and horn parts. Instruments are often copied by dubbing, often two drums are used simultaneously, at least three guitars are used at the same time. The sound concept also includes pounding percussion, emphasis on the edginess of the drum, and sometimes the echo of the harsh female background chorus in the traditional style. A fundamental element of Motown music is the slightly interlaced sequence of vocals and accompaniment, which makes the song driving.
