Drumfunk

Drumfunk is a subgenre of drum & bass sometimes referred to as "edits" or "choppage". The term came into widespread use around the year 2000, when drumfunk itself began to expand. The hallmarks of drumfunk records are complex breakbeats which sound as though they are being played live on a drumkit, but are usually composed of samples which have been processed and rearranged electronically. The first drumfunk track is arguably 'Witchcraft' by Krust and Roni Size which dates back to 1994. The most common break used is the amen as sampled from The Winstons' "Amen Brother" as well as Apache, Think, Aligator Boogaloo and a host of others.
Though a subgenre of drum & bass, it is usually much more complex than the standard drum patterns that exist within mainstream drum & bass. The focus of the song tends to be on the drums rather than the melodies. It is usually composed of drum samples from old funk records which are relatively obscure. The melodies, if any, provide a relaxed backdrop compared to the mainstream type of drum and bass. The most popular event to champion this style is Technicality run by Chris Inperspective and based in London at Herbal on the first Wednesday of every month and also IChiOne which is based in Amsterdam and also features food and film along with the music and Neurotic Sound Foundation with Twilight Zone from Mannheim (Germany). As well as its dancefloor appeal, drumfunk is also suitable for listening at home as its intricate drum work and laid back textural arrangements make for a soothing and satisfying experience.
Key drumfunk artists include Paradox (arguably the originator of both the term and production style who also releases music under the alias Alaska), Fracture and Neptune, Equinox, Danny Breaks, Digital, Dissident, Sickhead, Sativa, Destroy2k, Ghostrider, Sub, Sum, Seba, Macc, , , dgoHn, Fanu, 0=0, Senses, Chris Inperspective and KJ Sawka, although other producers have been labeled as such from time to time. The most important and influential labels in drumfunk are
Paradox Music,
13 Music,
Inperspective,
Outsider,
Offshore,
Subtle Audio,
Secret Operations,
Forestry Service,
Counter Intelligence,
Bassbin,
Breakin,
Subvert Central Recordings and
Lightless Recordings.
 
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