The Breaks (Vocal) – Burning The Ground: DjPaulT's 80's and 90's Remixes

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1980

“The Breaks” is a 1980 single by American rapper Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first certified gold rap song, and the second certified gold 12-inch single. In 2008, the song ranked #10 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.

“The Breaks” repeats the word “break” (or any of its homophones) 84 times over six and a half minutes. It features six breakdowns (seven including the outro) while there are three definitions for “break,” “to break” or “brakes” used in the lyrics. Unlike most hip-hop songs which sample prerecorded funk, the funk beat in this song is original (contrary to suggestions that it sampled “Long Train Runnin'” by The Doobie Brothers).

The single hit #87 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, and #9 on the U.S. Billboard dance chart.

It sold over 500,000 copies, becoming the first rap song to earn a gold certification from the RIAA and the second 12-inch single to earn a gold certification, following “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.

SIDE A:
The Breaks (Vocal) 7:46

SIDE B:
The Breaks (Instrumental/Do It yourself) 5:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1980	The Breaks	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#87
1980	The Breaks	U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles	#4
1980	The Breaks	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance /disco Club Songs	#9

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – MDS-4010, Mercury – 6167.941
Format:
Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, 19 – Bestway Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Funk / Soul

CREDITS:
Lacquer Cut By –HW*
Producer – J.B. Moore, Robert Ford Jr.
Written-By – J. Moore, K. Walker, L. Smith, R. Ford, R. Simmons*

NOTES:
Printed in U.S.A.

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi