This weeks New Lesson Tuesday covers the Classic Breaks affectionately known as ‘Doggone’ , ‘Sing Sing’ and ‘Think’. These three drum breaks have been used in 100’s of tracks throughout the decades in a variety of genres. We will run through each, break by break to give you a snapshot of the history behind there influence.
Love – Doggone – ‘Doggone Break’
Love was an influential psych rock band active in the late 60s / early 70s. The band had a small degree of commerical success but were later praised by critics with there 1967 album Forever Changes being listed #40 on Rolling Stones 500 Best Albums Of All Time List in 2003.
Clocking in at whooping 12 minutes long, Doggone features a 9 minute drum solo by George Suranovich that provides lots of sample opportunities. However the loop that can be heard in the video above has been most widely used. This break went widely unnoticed by producers and collectors until Kanye West used it in his productions in the early 2000s. Below are a few more recent examples of tracks that have sampled ‘Doggone’.
John Legend – Used To Love You
Gaz – Sing Sing – ‘Sing Sing Break’
While Gaz’s 1978 disco track ‘Sing Sing’ may not be considered an all time classic by most its iconic drum break has been heard the world over. The drum break has been used in hip hop circles by the Wu Tang Clan, took Kylie Minogue to court and is essentially the backbone of Baltimore club music.
“It’s like that lady in the Southern Baptist church with the tambourine – until the lady starts hitting the tambourine, the church don’t start jumping.
DJ Technics (On The Sing Sing Break)
Below are a few examples of the many songs that sample the ‘Sing Sing’ Break.
Lyn Collins – Think (About It) – Think Break
Perhaps the most unique and iconic break out of the set for its ‘Yeah, Woo’ vocals. Derived from a 1972 Funk record from Lyn Collins the track was produced by the legendary James Brown. Appearing in a variety of genres this song has also been featured heavily ever since and is among James Brown’s most sampled productions.
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rocks track ‘It Takes Two’ is the most well known and blatant use of this drum break. While Dizzee Rascal also used the break for his hit grime track Old Skool.
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two.
So there you have it. A brief look at what makes this weeks Classic Breaks so ‘Classic’. You can play all of these lessons now on Melodics. Master them and even include them in your own productions like so many great producers in the past have. As always send through any videos of yourself playing Melodics via Instagram using the hashtag #Melodics.
See You Next Tuesday.
NEW LESSON DROP!
NEW LESSON DROP!
Doo Wop (That Thing)
Lauryn Hill
Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics
Play this song now