Gimme A Break: 70s Breakbeats & Future Samples

This is Volume 7 in an (initially) projected 10 Volume series "conceived and compiled with love by Ian Dewhirst". The stated aim of the collection being to "offer some of the best music in the world from some of the greatest independent labels over the past 50 years..(using)...only the full 12" or album versions". This is a sentiment previously expressed by Dewhirst in his previous role as conceiver and compiler of the 'Original Mastercuts' collection - a series that provided a musical education in quality black music. Since the demise of the 'Original Series' Dewhirst has continued his engaging in the issuing of quality driven music compilations, always displaying the light touch expertise and willingness to guide, in a manner that is never patronising.For this edition Dewhirst takes a look at the phenomenom of 'breaks', a recycling and transformative process that Hip Hop History credits to Jamaican born DJ Kool Herc. In a well known narrative, Herc noticed that those dancing to his records at parties responded particularly well to the largely percussive sections of records drawn from 70s Funk and beyond (hence the term 'B-Boys' and 'B-Girls'). Taking such records, and concentrating on repeating the 'break' section (in an effort to sustain the propusive effect) Herc initiated a process that, coupled with vocal interjections drawing from an established oral tradition, would lead to the birth of Hip Hop. And whilst Herc's techinque would be adjudged as lacking finesse (it would of course be developed and expanded into the art of 'turntabalism' by Grandmaster Flash et al), all credit rests with Herc as being the foundation upon which a defining cultural experience from the later part of the 20th Century rests.Obviously the original DJs had to scour record stores and search through dusty crates for new pieces of music to use, but life is far easier in 2010 as a vistor to Amazon can search for numerous compilations featuring records used as samples or breaks in popular songs, across a range of genres. The process is entirely evolving, helped by ever cheaper technology and ease of access to back catalogue. So whilst some music fans will recognise elements contributing to Ice T's 'Lethal Weapon', Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', Kind 'N' Play's 'Last Night', Eric B & Rakim's 'Microphone Fiend', JVC Force's 'Strong Island' and Mantronix's 'Who Is It?', the possibilities and inspiration are endless.So do you buy?Arguably, and most importantly, one has to remember that a break might constitute anything from the use of a looped 2 second drum break to the wholesale lifting of an introductory or mid-section musical loop, which often bear little immediate resemblance to the record from which they have been taken. So whilst a 'break' might be funky, propulsive and provocative, the rest of the record might often lack those qualities. Thankfully, on this occasion, most of the records can stand as musical statements when considered as a whole (Freda Payne's 'Unhooked Generation', Vaughn Mason & Crew's 'Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll' and Al Green's 'I'm Glad You're Mine' for example). The collection does not pretend to offer a selection of definitive breaks (such as The Incredible Bongo Band's 'Apache') but Dewhirst has managed to present an interesting collection of records that await new contexts, new uses, new ears, and all for an incredibly reasonable sum. As he writes in the liner notes, "Many artists who thought their old recordings would be buried in obscurity have been nicely surprised to see them suddenly becoming popular some 30 years after they were recorded....long may they continue!"For the price, and for the quality, this is good value, being a very solid 8/10 collection. Once again Dewhirst and the Demon Music Group are to be congratulated in presenting quality tangible product at an outstanding price.Buy before deletion!

Funk tunes are here. This is a decent CD, my funk days were good. Bac Beats have done well here. Even the Stylistics are on here. Says the music in those days was pretty Funky.

typical Backbeats, a strong selection of classics mixed with lesser known tracks to interest the dedicated collector.

I got a few collections of breaks from the early 80's. I thought this one lacked energy, and a few of the songs are not-that-good covers.

Brilliant Track selection:-01. Average White Band - Schoolboy Crush 4.58 - Solid funk groove classic 02. John Davis & The Monster Orchestra - I Can't Stop 5.04 - hot horns pumpin jazz disco 03. The Chi-Lites - Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) 2.59 - Incredible soul-funk sample heavy masterpiece (worth the price of admission alone!) 04. The Evasions - Wikka Wrap 8.46 - mini docu tour of funk disco 05. Al Green - I'm Glad You're Mine 2.51 - deep soul funk classic 06. Honey Cone - Stick Up 3.01 - strings heavy 70s soul classic 07. Syl Johnson - Different Strokes 2.18 - heavy funk breaks masterpiece 08. Little Royal & The Swingmasters - Razor Blade 2.56 - deep funk w/heavy bass 09. Kid Dynamite - Uphill Piece Of Mind 4.16 - Great hard funk/psychedelic guitar gem 10. Boobie Knight & The Universal Lady - Lovomaniacs (Sex) 3.41 - porn film theme tune classic 11. Laura Lee - Crumbs Off The Table 3.11 - deep soul funk gem 12. Vaughn Mason & Crew - Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll 7.31 - late 70s funk disco 13. Parliament - Come In Out Of The Rain 2.55 - classic Parliament (what more do you need to say!) 14. Freda Payne - Unhooked Generation 2.29 - Sample heavy soul classic 15. Sound Experience - Devil With The Bust 5.40 - Deep funk rock soul classic 16. Dexter Wansel - Theme From The Planets 4.51 - All time classic space jazz funk masterpiece 17. The Jones Girls - At Peace With Woman 4.30 - classy soul gem with political message 18. The Sylistics - Hurry Up This Way Again 5.55 - Fantastic soul masterpiece - real piece of art!Essential!

always love Back Beats but this is so poor. Wish I hadn't bother - and I bought 2, one as a gift!!!!! LOL Good delivery and packaging as always but CD is dire in my opinion.