DJ of breaks and breakbeat in vinyl: 404Error
The breakdowns (or breakbeat) are electronic dance music built on broken battery rhythms, without the black bulb of the house and the techno, usually at 125-135 BPM. The nu skool breaks was its British version from 1995 to 2010: thick low, techno and electro synthesizers, and labels like Marine Parade, Finger Lickin 'or TCR.
Nu Skool Breaks (1995-2010): The golden age of broken rhythms
Between 1995 and 2010, the Nu Skool Breaks defined a time. This subgenus emerged as an evolution of the classic breakbeats, merging the energy of Techno, Funk and Hip with the power of the British Bassline. The productions of this age were marked by strong low, complex percussion and a progressive approach that differentiated it from other styles of the time.
What is breakbeat and where it comes from
An break is the fragment of a funk or soul disk in which only the battery sounds. In the Bronx of the '70s, DJs like Kool Herc started repeating those fragments with two copies of the same album to extend the moment the track was dancing the most. From there came hip hop and later the whole breakbeat family. Two breaks have been expanded thousands of times: the «Amen break» of «Amen, Brother» (The Winston, 1969) and «Funky Drummer» (James Brown, 1970).
In the United Kingdom of the 90s the breakbeat was accelerated and mixed with the rave: hence the hardcore, the jungle and the drum and bass came out. At the time of the club, around 125-135 BPM, he gave the big beat of The Chemical Brothers or Fatboy Slim and, from 1995, the nu skool breaks. In the United States, Orlando developed its own sound, the Florida break, with DJ Icey as the central name. In Spain, Andalusia had one of the largest breakbeat scenes in Europe in the late 1990s and in the 2000's.
Artists and labels Nu skool breaks (1995- 2010)
| Artist | Label partner | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Freeland | Marine Parade | Founded the label and popularized the term nu skool breaks; «We Want Your Soul» |
| Plump DJs | Finger Lickin' | Breaks with funk and fat bass, track reference |
| Rennie Pilgrem | TCR (Thursday Club Recordings) | One of the pioneers; its label released many names from the scene |
| Hybrid | Distinct'ive Breaks | Breaks with orchestra and film air; album «Wide Angle» |
| Stanton Warriors | Punks | Groove and low, still active |
| Krafty Kut | Finger Lickin' | Mixture technique and sets that united classics and novelties |
| Meat Katie | LOT49 | The tech-funk and darker side |
Other labels key: Botchit & Scarper, Kilowatt Recordings, the label DJ Hyper. Much of that catalog came out in vinyl, and it's the one that's still ringing in my sets from break.
Breakbeat, electro and techno: quick differences
| Style | usual BPM | Rhythm |
|---|---|---|
| Breaks / nu skool breaks | 125-135 | Broken battery, box moved, low thick |
| Electro | 120-135 | Syncopated rhythms box (808), robotic sound |
| Techno | 125-140 | Pump to constant black |
Featured artists from the current Breaks
In the contemporary scene, artists from all over the world are taking the Breaks to new horizons:
- Stanton Warriors: continue to publish and turn, and its label Punks keeps the break sound with low thick.
- DJ Icey: Florida sound veteran, still active with funk root breaks.
- Dub Elements: Spanish duo that mixes breaks and bass music.
- Meat Katie: at the head of LOT49, reference of the tech@-@ funk.
Records of the current Breaks
In the contemporary scene, new stamps and some classics continue to lead the evolution of the gender:
- LOT49: Founded by Meat Katie, he is still a reference in the Tech-Funk and the modern Breaks.
- Punks Music: Created by Stanton Warriors, this label combines the Breaks with Bassline and Electro influences.
Vinyl breakers with 404Error
The breaks are part of the 404Error tour since the 1990s. Today it records sets themes in vinyl, like his tribute to Kilowatt Recordings and DJ Hyper in YouTube, and you have them on the list of Mixcloud breakbeats and breakdowns. If you organize a break night or electro, check dates at booking.
Breaks on a techno night
The breaks work very well as a change of air: they keep the tempo and the weight of the bass, but they break the bulb to black and the track moves differently. They fit in second rooms, in transition stripes between two DJs of different styles and in more festive closures. Within a set of techno, a few vinyls broken refresh the session without lowering the energy. I explain it in more detail in how to program deep techno, hypnotic, breaks and EBM on a club night.
Frequently asked questions about breaks
What's the difference between breakbeat and breakaks?
They're used almost as synonyms. Breakbeat is the general term for music built on broken batteries; breaks, and above all nu skool breaks, usually refer to the British club version from 1995 to 2010.
How many BPM is the breakbeat going?
The club breakbeat moves between 125 and 135 BPM. The big beat usually goes somewhat slower and the drum and bass, which is also born from breakbeat, goes from 160.
Can you mix breaks with techno?
Yeah. With similar and low temps with weight, a block of breaks within a set of techno works well and gives rhythmic variety.
Are there DJs of vinyl break in Madrid?
Yeah. 404Error pincha breaks and nu skool breaks 100% in vinyl for theme nights, second rooms and closures. Listen to the list of breaks in Mixcloud and writes to booking.