A six second drum break from The Winstons‘ “Amen, Brother” (the b-side to their 1969 hit “Color Him Father”) is arguably the most famous “break” ever. The “Amen Break” has been sampled on countless hip hop records (famously on NWA’s “Straight Outa Compton”) and, sped up and chopped up, basically became the backbone of every jungle/drum and bass record ever. If you’re still scratching your head, or are just curious to know more, Nate Harrison’s terrific 2004 short documentary on the “amen break” is required viewing. Watch it below.
Despite the sample’s place in the pop culture lexicon, neither Winstrons drummer G. C. Coleman (who died in 2006), nor frontman Richard L. Spencer (who wrote and arranged the song and owns the copyright) have ever received royalties for the sample. (The Statute of limitations has run out to pursue it legally now.) However, a UK DJ has started a crowdfunding campaign to give money to Richard Spencer and Coleman’s family:
if you have ever written or sold any music with the amen break, or even just enjoyed one of the countless hundreds and hundreds of tunes that contain it over various genres and styles of music, please donate towards the good cause of the worldwide music community giving something back to the man behind the legendary breakbeat.
The campaign began five days ago with hopes of raising £1,000 and it’s already had £11,000 pledged.
Check out the documentary and a few famous uses of the “amen break,” below…
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