Introduction

The look:  An ultra eclectic mix of styles from the Bebop Hipsters (berets, goatees, sharp suits), Beats (corduroy, beads, oversized black sweaters), Funk (supersonic flares, wide-collared shirts, mock-crocodile loafers), Mod (Italian inspired menswear like Gabicci cardigans), Skaters (Stussy and Pervert) and B-Boys (Kangol hats, Adidas tracksuit tops, old school trainers). As with Acid Jazz music, the look is most definitely in the mix.

The time: Late ‘80s

The place: London, UK

Essay Excerpt

As is apparent both visually and musically, Acid Jazz – like Punk before it, but even more so – is as good an example of post-modernism as one is likely to find. Time travelling like Dr Who it blithely whacks together elements from two decades – the ‘40s and the ‘70s – which are as different from each other as decades can get but which, while both producing more dross than you can shake a stick at, came up with great, complex and compelling musical forms in Bebop and Funk. Then, as if that wasn’t enough to be getting on with, Acid Jazz started injecting new stuff from the ‘80s into the mix. Never simply a revival and always a unique synthesis, Acid Jazz nicks from the past but – the good stuff, the real stuff always being found in the mix – it is always in the here and now. And how cool is that! Acciieeed!!!