Review

The Breaks - Original B Boy Street Funk & Block Party Classics: Various

A fab start to this ultra historic and hip collection of original breaks highlighting the original tunes and breaks that gave birth to Hip-Hop, pioneered by DJ Kool Herc and refined by the likes of Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaata.

This well crafted hottie will appeal to all funk junkies and newer generations keen to found out how America's second biggest musical gift to the world (Jazz being the first) was born.

Quite simply, Harmless have come up with a glorious one-stop funk solution, sought after tracks now available without the rigours of back breaking crate diggin! It's all been done for you you lucky armchair lovers of funk!

Included on this 31 track compilation are 'The Champ' by The Mohawks,'It's A New Day' (The Skull Caps) 'Person To Person' (AWB), 'Bra & The Message' (Cymande) - the list goes on...

Compiler Dean Rudland is bang on the money, but there are a few potboilers, that in my opinion don't cut the mustard - such as 'Liquid Liquid' by Cavern, historically included because of it's hallowed 'White Lines' bassline but i don't think the tune stands the test of time (thank god The Sugarhill Gang took it outside and gave it a good kicking!) Minor niggles though, to an excellent piece of work that will continue to fuel the flames of funk and gives a fascinating insight into a birth of a genre we all love!
Words Emrys Baird