The Amen Break — The Fascinating Story Of A Six Second Drum Sample That Defined The Sound Of Jungle, Drum & Bass & Rave Music In The 90s And Still Used Today
The Amen break is a six-second drum solo from the song “Amen, Brother” by the 1960s funk and soul outfit the Winstons. The break, which occurs at the 2:56 mark of the song, has been widely sampled in various forms of music and has become one of the most sampled drum loops in history.
The origins of the Amen break can be traced back to the Winstons, a Washington D.C.-based band that was formed in the late 1960s. The group consisted of Richard Spencer on drums, Gary “Mudbone” Cooper on vocals, and Charles “Deacon” Atkins on guitar, among others. Their only hit single was “Color Him Father,” which reached №7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969.
Despite their lack of commercial success, the Winstons are now widely remembered for their drummer Richard Spencer’s performance on “Amen, Brother,” which was released as the B-side of their single “Color Him Father.” The song, which features a repetitive, hypnotic drum pattern, has been widely sampled by a variety of musicians and is considered a classic of the funk and soul genre.
Despite its brevity, the Amen break has had a profound impact on the world of music, and is widely considered to be one of the most iconic and influential drum breaks of all time. But what is it about the Amen break that makes it sound so good?
The Amen break has been sampled and used in hundreds of songs across many different genres, including hip hop, jungle, drum and bass, and even pop and rock. Some of the most well-known songs that have used the Amen break include N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton,” the Prodigy’s “Out of Space,” and the Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right (To Party).”
One reason for the Amen break’s enduring appeal is its catchy, repetitive nature. The drum loop features a simple, four-bar pattern that is easy to remember and hum along to. The loop is also heavily syncopated, meaning that the drum hits fall on off-beat accents, giving the loop a funky, groovy feel.
Another reason the Amen break sounds so good is its versatility. The sample can be easily manipulated and edited to fit into a variety of different musical contexts. It has been sped up, slowed down, pitched up and down, and even reversed in various songs. This flexibility has allowed producers to use the Amen break in a wide range of genres, from hip hop to jungle to pop.
The Amen break also has a distinctive, energetic sound that is perfect for getting people moving. The loop features a fast tempo and powerful drum hits, which give it a sense of urgency and excitement. This makes the Amen break ideal for use in dance music, where it can help to drive the beat and keep the party going.
Furthermore, the Amen break has a certain nostalgia factor that adds to its appeal.
The popularity of the Amen break has also been fueled by its association with the emerging genres of hip hop and electronic dance music in the 1980s and 1990s. As these genres began to gain mainstream popularity, the Amen break became an important part of their sonic identity.
Despite its widespread use, the Winstons and their record label never received any credit or compensation for the use of the Amen break in other artists’ songs. This led to a lengthy and complicated legal battle over the rights to the sample, which was eventually resolved in the Winstons’ favor.
Today, the Amen break continues to be a popular and influential sample in music. It is a testament to the enduring power of a simple, six-second drum solo and the lasting impact it can have on the world of music.
Despite being a relatively short and simple drum loop, the Amen break has had a profound impact on the development of jungle and drum and bass music.
Jungle and drum and bass are electronic dance music genres that originated in the UK in the late 1980s and 1990s. These genres are known for their fast tempos, complex breakbeats, and heavy basslines.
The Amen break, with its fast tempo and distinctive drum pattern, was quickly embraced by jungle and drum and bass producers, who began incorporating it into their tracks.
One of the first very early tracks that gave birth to jungle to feature the Amen break was “Coming On Strong” by Rebel MC. Released in 1990.
The use of the Amen break in “Coming On Strong” helped to establish it as a staple sample in jungle and drum and bass music.
In the years that followed, the Amen break was used in countless jungle and drum and bass tracks. Producers would often manipulate the sample, speeding it up or slowing it down, pitching it up or down, or chopping it up and rearranging it in creative ways. The Amen break became so closely associated with the jungle and drum and bass genres that it became something of a trademark sound.
One of the most famous uses of the amen break was in Ray Keith’s track ‘Terrorist’ released in 1994 which quickly became one of the most recognisable jungle tunes of all time.
The Amen break was not only used in the production of jungle and drum and bass tracks, it was also often featured in the live performances of these genres. Many jungle and drum and bass DJs would drop the Amen break in their sets, using it as a way to hype up the crowd and get them moving. The Amen break became an integral part of the live jungle and drum and bass experience.
Today, the Amen break continues to be an important sample in jungle and drum and bass music. Its distinctive sound and versatility have made it a staple of the genre, and it remains one of the most widely-used drum loops in electronic dance music.