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In 1968, a little known funk and soul outfit called The Winstons recorded ‘Amen Brother’. In the middle of the song (which by the way is very very cool- but it never achieved commercial success when released), the drummer, Greg Coleman, plays a short solo, or drum break. This 6 second, 4 bar piece of drumming genius is known as The Amen Break.

The Amen Break has become the most sampled drumbeat in musical history. It has been used by a huge diversity of artists, such as NWA, David Bowie, Public Enemy, The Prodigy, Aimee Winehouse, Carl Cox and Oasis.

It is considered the foundation rhythmic beat for the much of the electronic musical genre (Trip Hop, Drum’n Bass, Jungle, Psych Trance etc.) that exploded in the late 80’s and early 90s of last century. 

There is a world of information regarding the Amen Break available on the web- have a look, you will be surprised how many popular (and obsolete) pieces of music you’ve listened to, danced at and lounged about with that feature the Amen Break.

So for starters, check out these doco’s. But be warned, once you start watching and listening, you’ll be hooked!!

Visit nkhstudio.com to view a 20-minute short from Nate Harrison all about the Amen Break

Or check this out- an hour-long podcast from Crissy Criss, made for BBC1Xtra. https://www.mixcloud.com/crissycriss/the-story-of-the-amen-break-with-crissy-criss-bbc-1xtra/

And for a little general info on the importance of the Amen Break have a look at this guy;

http://www.openculture.com/2013/03/the_amen_break_the_most_famous_6-second_drum_loop_how_it_spawned_a_sampling_revolution.html

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And if your keen to get some inside intel on how to play the Amen Break... check this tutorial.

http://thatdrumblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/transcription-amen-break.html

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