17 Apr 2009
I was watching an old Discovery Channel Doc about the history of hacking culture on googlevideo earlier today, and i came upon this video in the sidebar.
The 20 minute video outlines the history of the “world’s most important 6 second drum loop”, called the Amen Break. In addition to discussing the loop itself, the video outlines the origins of sampling culture, rave culture, hiphop, jungle and more. Perhaps the most influential 6 seconds of music produced.
Aesthetically I like what is happening in the video as well. A single dubplate record spins on a lone turntable in what looks like a gallery on a plain table. Add a few folding chairs, a set of speakers, and it’s like watching a lecture being attended by few to no people. Given by an aetherial electronic voice. It’s highly appropriate for the material… I’m really facinated with this.
Also the video is a clarion call to stop the corporate media from dominating the music of the past by extending copyright, applying stricter and stricter rules to sampling materials….
I’m feeling just a little more savvy after having watched this. And so should all of you…
