The Most Remixed Record Ever: A Journey Through Sampling and Remixing

The world of hip-hop, electronic music, and turntablism is rich with samples and remixes that have influenced countless artists and songs. Among these, the Amen Break stands as a towering example of a record that has been sampled more than any other.

The Amen Break: A Foundation of Drum and Bass

The Amen Break originates from The Winstons - Amen Brother, a 1969 track that features a brief drum solo in its middle. This nine-second snippet, containing just three drum hits, has become an iconic part of music history. It has been sampled and remixed countless times, contributing to the birth of drum and bass, jungle, and other subgenres within electronic music.

The Amen Break has become part of the public domain due to its extensive sampling and the fact that many sample licenses were never acquired, making it a cornerstone of music production for decades. Its influence is evident in thousands of tracks and countless remixes:

White Label Samples: Encompassing over 30,000 samples of the Amen Break, these libraries demonstrate the widespread use of this snippet. Drum and Bass Tracks: Many classic and contemporary drum and bass tracks utilize the Amen Break, cementing its place in electronic music. Hip-Hop Classics: From Breathless by Jazzmatazz to Forever by Beastie Boys, the Amen Break is frequently used and mastered.

James Brown: The Most Sampled Artist

No discussion of sampling would be complete without mentioning the James Brown catalog. James Brown, often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul," has been sampled more than any other artist. His songs, such as I Feel Good, Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine, and Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, have been the foundation for countless remixes and electronic tracks. Songs like:

SO GET UP: Originally by Ithaka in 1992, remixed over a thousand times and featured in tracks by megastar DJs like Fatboy Slim and Armin van Buuren. Change the Beat: By Fab5 Freddy, which has become the standard benchmark for turntablism due to its favorable scratch sounds.

The James Brown Soundtrack has played a significant role in shaping the sound of modern music. The Think (1968) single, which features Lynn Collins and was later sampled extensively, has added to the vast pool of samples derived from James Brown's work.

Other Contenders and Confusions

While the Amen Break and James Brown dominate discussions about the most remixed records, it is important to address the confusion between samples and remixed tracks:

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax: Known for its distinctive synthesizer riff, this track has been heavily remixed multiple times. Donna Summer - I Feel Love: A disco classic that has also inspired numerous remixes.

The term "remix" can be tricky when considering cover versions or unofficial YouTube remixes. It is essential to distinguish between official remixes, unauthorized remixes, and the sheer number of samples a particular piece of music has inspired.

Turntablism and the Amen Break

The Amen Break's influence extends beyond just sampling. In the realm of turntablism, the break has become a standard benchmark for demonstrating scratching techniques and skills. The vocoded "aww" from the B-side of the track, which is often disregarded, has been particularly favored by DJs and turntablists for its favorable scratch sound.

DJ Darin Pappas and other notable DJs have used this snippet in their remixed tracks, showcasing the widespread appeal and adaptability of the Amen Break. This snippet has effectively become an industry standard in terms of showcasing turntablism and combining it with electronic dance music, making it an indispensable part of the electronic music genre.