Rare Groove

Putting The Science Into Music

Rare Groove developed in Britain during the 1980s as DJs and collectors searched for overlooked Soul, Funk, Jazz-Funk, Disco and R&B records from earlier decades. The term describes a culture of rediscovery rather than one fixed musical style, with rarity, groove and dance-floor value shaping the selection.

London clubs, warehouse parties and pirate radio helped establish the movement by giving forgotten American recordings a new audience. DJs including Norman Jay, Trevor Nelson and Gilles Peterson became closely associated with sets mixing obscure album tracks, independent releases and lesser-known productions alongside recognised classics.

Many Rare Groove records were originally issued during the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s in small quantities or on regional labels. Collectors valued strong basslines, extended rhythm sections, breakbeats and distinctive vocal performances that had received limited attention when first released.

The scene had a major influence on British Soul, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop and later club culture. Producers sampled Rare Groove records for drums, basslines and instrumental loops, while bands and singers drew from their arrangements and vocal styles.

Rare Groove commonly includes Soul-Funk, Jazz-Funk, Boogie, Disco, Latin Soul, Afro-Funk and related forms of Black dance music. The category is intentionally broad, because it's based on selection, obscurity and historical rediscovery rather than one tempo or production formula.

The Rare Groove category can include original recordings, reissues and compilations connected with this collecting tradition. Its defining character comes from groove-led music that gained renewed recognition through DJs, record shops, radio and club culture.

At Scientific Sound Asia, rare groove is a defining feature of two shows: Roots and Marco Mei.