Acid Jazz: The Rebirth of Cool

Aired on Tuesday 5th May 2026, 6:00PM

The Long Play

This week on The Long Play, Sophie dives into the smooth, sample-rich world of acid jazz — a genre born in London club nights and built from the grooves of jazz, funk, and soul. From crate-digging DJs to live-band revivalists, Acid Jazz: The Rebirth of Cool traces a sound that travelled far beyond its origins — from Chicago’s jazz heritage to UK warehouse parties, and all the way to Australia’s own thriving scene. Featuring artists like Freak Power, Corduroy, Gang Starr, Jamiroquai, Us3, and Directions in Groove, this episode explores how acid jazz blurred the lines between live instrumentation and hip-hop production — and how compilations like The Rebirth of Cool helped bring the movement into the mainstream. Along the way, Sophie unpacks the cultural crossover moments, iconic samples, and unexpected pop breakthroughs (yes, even Levi’s ads) that carried the genre across generations. From underground club culture to global charts, acid jazz is more than a genre — it’s a musical migration.

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