Garage House

Garage house is a subgenre of house music characterized by its soulful, energetic, and often gospel-inspired sound. Emerging in the 1980s, primarily in New York City's underground clubs, garage house drew from disco, funk, and soul traditions, incorporating elements of Afro-American music culture. The genre's defining features include driving, syncopated rhythms, often with a "swing" or "shuffle" feel, and prominent use of synthesizers, keyboards, and sampled vocals. Vocal styles range from husky, emotive leads to layered, call-and-response harmonies, frequently incorporating gospel-like ad-libs and melodies. Garage house reached its peak popularity in the 1990s, particularly in the NYC club scene, and played a significant role in shaping the broader house music landscape. Its cultural impact lies in its reflection of the city's diverse, Afro-Latino cultural heritage and its provision of a inclusive, communal space for self-expression and celebration. Garage house's distinctive blend of spiritual, soulful, and dancefloor-friendly elements sets it apart from other house styles, such as techno and deep house, and has influenced a wide range of electronic music genres, from nu-disco to UK garage.

Body Count (Pop Life Mix)

Duane Harden

Single - Released April 4, 2025