Drummer creates 75 new versions of the Amen break - News - Mixmag
News

Drummer creates 75 new versions of the Amen break

Merlin Matthews has released a sample pack featuring 11 additional percussion sets

  • Becky Buckle
  • 3 April 2023
Drummer creates 75 new versions of the Amen break

A drummer has released 75 new versions of the classic Amen break.

Created by musician Merlin Matthews, the sample pack keeps the beat at 136 BPM and includes 11 additional percussion sets.

Known as one of the most sampled beats of all time, the Amen break was originally taken from the 1969 track ‘Amen, Brother’ by The Winstons.

Read this next: The 20 best tracks that sample the Amen Break

Drumming for The Winstons was Gregory "G.C." Coleman who never received any royalties from the track which went on to be used within genres spanning hip hop to jungle.

According to band member Richard Spencer, Coleman passed away in 2006 and was homeless at the time of his death.

In 2015, a fundraiser was set up to remunerate the late artist with proceeds going towards his family.

Read this next: Over £20,000 has been raised for one of the creators of the Amen break

For Matthews, he re-created Amen break with a combination of three kicks, five snares and five rides which were selected, treated and re-recorded.

In the product description, Matthews explains that he, “carefully built a recording setup and treated each voice to create the MAXIMUM possible sonic contrast.”

He continues: “And then we painstakingly performed The Amen Break with each and EVERY combination.”

Available via Matthew’s sample library, The Beat Shed, the pack costs £22.50. Check it out here.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter

Load the next article
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading...
Loading...
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.