Ultimate Breaks and Beats


Ultimate Breaks and Beats was a series of 25 compilation albums released from 1986 to 1991 by Street Beat Records edited by "BreakBeat Lou" Flores. Featured on the albums were tracks from 1966 to 1984 that included drum breaks.
The albums found high popularity with hip hop producers, with the release of a new volume in the series usually leading to many various hip hop records featuring samples of the breaks.
Re-releases of the LPs, some packaged in pairs for DJ scratching and mixing convenience, became available and are currently found in many record stores. CDs of some of the volumes may be found as well, including a 2-CD and DVD box set featuring nearly all the tracks on the 25 albums.

Releases

Complete track listing, taken from Geocities.com and updated with performers' names, missing in the track lists of volumes SBR 499, SBR 500 and the first version of SBR 508.
An asterisk after a track name indicates that the song was remixed for inclusion in this compilation.

Not official

SBR 499

  1. The Limit – "She's So Divine"
  2. Kashif – "I Just Gotta Have You "
  3. Kenton Nix featuring Bobby Youngblood – "There's Never Been "
  4. Mr. Magic – "Magic's Message "

    SBR 500

  5. Tia Monae – "Don't Keep Me Waiting"
  6. Cloud One – "Flying High"
  7. Ednah Holt – "Serious, Sirius Space Party"
  8. – "Let's Do It"

    Official start of the series

SBR 501

  1. The Monkees – "Mary Mary"* Colgems Records
  2. Wilbur "Bad" Bascomb – "Black Grass"* Paramount Records
  3. The Winstons – "Amen, Brother"* Metromedia Records***
  4. 7th Wonder – "Daisy Lady" Parachute Records
  5. D.C. LaRue – "Indiscreet" Pyramid Records
  6. Rufus Thomas – "Do the Funky Penguin" Stax Records
  1. Wilson Pickett – "Get Me Back on Time, Engine #9"* Atlantic Records
  2. Juice – "Catch a Groove"* Greedy Records
  3. The Rolling Stones – "Honky Tonk Women"* London Records
  4. Funkadelic – "You'll Like it Too" LAX Records
  5. Roy Ayers Ubiquity – "Boogie Back" Polydor Records
  6. Orchestra Internationale featuring Sal Conte – "Chella llà" Fiesta Records

    SBR 503

  7. Cheryl Lynn – "Got to Be Real" Columbia records
  8. Incredible Bongo Band – "Apache" Pride/MGM Records
  9. Herman Kelly & Life – "Dance to the Drummer's Beat" TK Disco / Alston / Electric Cat Records
  10. Incredible Bongo Band – "Bongo Rock"* Pride/MGM Records
  11. Upp – "Give It to You" Epic Records
  12. Jackie Robinson – "Pussyfooter"* Les Disques Direction Records

    SBR 504

  13. Syl Johnson – "Different Strokes"* Twilight Records
  14. Bobby Byrd – "I Know You Got Soul"* King Records
  15. Z. Z. Hill – "I Think I'd Do It"* Mankind Records
  16. Gaz – "Sing Sing" SalSoul Records
  17. Isaac Hayes – "Break Through" Enterprise Records
  18. Tom Jones – "Looking Out My Window"* Parrot Records ***Note: Looking Out My Window" does not appear on the 1968 LP "Help Yourself" although it does so on later cd reissues.
  19. Dynamic Corvettes – "Funky Music Is the Thing Part 2" Abet Records

    SBR 505

  20. Johnny "Hammond" Smith – "Shifting Gears"* Milestone Records
  21. Bo Diddley – "Hit or Miss"* Cadet / Chess Records
  22. The Wild Magnolias – " Soul, Soul, Soul"* Polydor Records
  23. Melvin Bliss – "Synthetic Substitution" Sunburst Records
  24. Freedom – "Get Up and Dance" TK Disco / Malaco Records
  25. 20th Century Steel Band – "Heaven and Hell Is on Earth" United Artists Records
  26. Banbarra – "Shack Up Part 2"

    SBR 506

  27. Please – "Sing a Simple Song" Telefunken Records
  28. James Brown – "Cold Sweat" King Records
  29. The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds – "2001" Buddah records
  30. Dennis Coffey – "Son of Scorpio"* Sussex Records
  31. The Magic Disco Machine – "Scratchin'"* Motown records
  32. Fat Larry's Band – "Down on the Avenue" WMot Records
  33. Uncle Louie – "I Like Funky Music" Marlin Records

    SBR 507

  34. James Brown – "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" '' Polydor Records
  35. Funky Constellation – "Street Talk " ROTA Records
  36. Pleasure – "Let’s Dance" Fantasy Records
  37. John Davis and the Monster Orchestra – "I Can’t Stop" SAM Records
  38. John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra – "Planetary Citizen" CBS Records
  39. Funkadelic – "Good Old Music" Westbound Records
  40. William Ray – "You Are What You Are" Magic Touch Records

    Discontinued (see notes below)

SBR 508

  1. The Puppets – "The Way of Life"
  2. Wish & Fonda Rae – "Touch Me "
  3. Up Front – "Infatuation"
  4. Stacye Branché – "Precious and Special"

    Continued

SBR 509

  1. Ingrid – "Easter Parade" Polydor Records
  2. ESG – "UFO"* 99 Records
  3. Billy Squier – "Big Beat" Capitol Records
  4. Liquid Liquid – "Cavern" 99 Records
  5. Mountain – "Long Red"* Windfall Records
  6. Tyrone Thomas and the Whole Darn Family – "Seven Minutes of Funk" Soul International Records
  1. James Brown – "Funky President" Polydor Records
  2. Dexter Wansel – "Theme from the Planets"* Philadelphia International Records
  3. Rhythm Heritage – "Theme from "S.W.A.T.""* ABC Records
  4. The Jackson Five – "It's Great to Be Here"* Motown Records
  5. The Brothers Johnson – "Ain't We Funkin' Now" A&M Records
  6. La Pregunta – "Shangri La" GNP Records
  7. Esther Williams – "Last Night Changed It All "*** 'Friends & Co. Records
1 – The Lp, 45rpm and the 12" of "Last Night Changed It All" are all different versions from one another.
2 – Note: "Theme from the Planets" was recorded at 45 rpm speed on this release.

SBR 511

  1. The Honey Drippers – "Impeach the President"* Alaga Records
  2. The Headhunters – "God Make Me Funky" Arista Records
  3. Lucy Hawkins – "Gotta Get Out of Here" SAM Records
  4. Orange Krush – "Action"* Prep Street / Mercury Records
  5. Funk Inc. – "Kool Is Back" Prestige Records
  6. Fausto Papetti – "Love's Theme"* Durium Records

    SBR 512

  7. Junie – "Granny's Funky Rolls Royce" Westbound Records
  8. James Brown – "Funky Drummer"* King Records
  9. The Mohawks – "The Champ" Pama Records
  10. Aerosmith – "Walk This Way" Columbia Records
  11. Thin Lizzy – "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed" Mercury Records
  12. The Soul Searchers – "Ashley's Roachclip"* Sussex Records
  13. Chicago Gangsters – "Gangster Boogie"* Gold Plate Records
  14. T-Connection – "Groove to Get Down" Dash Records

    SBR 513

  15. Babe Ruth – "The Mexican" Harvest / EMI Records
  16. Babe Ruth – "Keep Your Distance"* Capitol Records
  17. Coke Escovedo – " I Wouldn't Change a Thing" 2 Mercury Records
  18. Eastside Connection – "Frisco Disco" Rampart Records
  19. In Search Of...Orchestra – "Phenomena Theme" AVI Records
  20. The Meters – "Handclapping Song" Josie Records
2 – " I Wouldn't Change a Thing" is actually two songs by Coke Escovedo put into one track: the ending of "Runaway" and "I Wouldn't Change a Thing".

SBR 514

  1. Stanley Turrentine and Milt Jackson – "Sister Sanctified" CTI Records
  2. J. J. Johnson – "Willie Chase" MCA Records
  3. Kid Dynamite – "Uphill Peace of Mind" Cream Records
  4. Ralph MacDonald – "Jam on the Groove" Marlin Records
  5. Experience Unlimited – "Knock Him Out Sugar Ray" Vermack Records
  6. Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s – "Blow Your Head" People Records

    SBR 515

  7. Donald Byrd – "Change " Blue Note Records
  8. Roy Ayers – "Brother Green " Polydor Records
  9. Grover Washington, Jr. – "Mister Magic" Motown Records
  10. David Matthews – "Star Wars" CTI Records
  11. John Cougar Mellencamp – "Jack and Diane" Riva Records
  12. Pleasure – "Bouncy Lady" Fantasy Records
  13. Jefferson Starship – "Rock Music" Grunt/RCA Records

    SBR 516

  14. Commodores – "The Assembly Line" Motown Records
  15. Johnny Jenkins – "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" Capricorn Records
  16. Le Pamplemousse – "Gimme What You Got"* AVI Records
  17. Marvin Gaye – "T Plays it Cool" Talma Records
  18. Lyn Collins – "Think "* People Records
  19. The Galactic Force Band – "Space Dust"* Springboard Records
  20. Steve Miller Band – "Take the Money and Run"* Capitol Records

    SBR 517

  21. Baby Huey – "Listen to Me" Curtom Records
  22. Bobbie Knight & The Universal Lady – "The Lovermaniacs "* Brunswick Records
  23. The Pointer Sisters – "Yes We Can Can" Blue Thumb Records
  24. Monk Higgins – "One Man Band " Buddah Records
  25. Kool & The Gang – "N.T." De-Lite Records
  26. Dyke & the Blazers – "Let a Woman Be a Woman, Let a Man Be a Man"* Original Sounds Records
  27. Bram Tchaikovsky – "Whiskey and Wine" Radar Records***note The song "Whiskey & Wine" was originally covered by the group The Motors and Bram Tchaikovsky was an original member. Their version from the album "1" is a studio recording and has no drum break***
  28. "L.L. Bonus Beats" – Fancy – "Feel Good"* Big Three Records BT 89502 ***note; Looped as a 1:40 min. bonus beat on vinyl edition.

    SBR 518

  29. Bar-Kays – "Let's Have Some Fun" Mercury Records
  30. Lafayette Afro Rock Band – "Conga" Makossa Records
  31. Yellow Sunshine – "Yellow Sunshine" TSOP Records
  32. The Jimmy Castor Bunch – "It's Just Begun"* RCA Records
  33. Marva Whitney – "It's My Thing" King Records
  34. Kay Gees – "I Believe in Music" Gang Records
  35. Dennis Coffey – "Ride Sally Ride" Sussex Records
4 – ***Note that the intro used in the beginning of the song is taken from the group's track "Troglodyte ".

SBR 519

  1. The Blackbyrds – "Rock Creek Park" Fantasy Records
  2. KC and the Sunshine Band – "I Get Lifted" TK Disco Records
  3. Brother Soul – "Cookies" Leo Mini Records
  4. Foster Sylvers – "Misdemeanor" Pride / MGM Records
  5. Wild Sugar – "Bring it Here" TSOB Records
  6. Miami – "Chicken Yellow" Drive Records
  7. The Olympic Runners – "Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is" London Records
  8. Lightnin' Rod – "Sport" United Artists Records

    SBR 520

  9. Roy Ayers – "Lonesome Cowboy"* Polydor Records
  10. Duke Williams – "Chinese Chicken" Capricorn Records
  11. Joe Quarterman – "I'm Gonna Get You"* GSF Records
  12. Friend & Lover – "Reach Out of the Darkness"* Verve Forecast Records
  13. The Chubukos – "House of Rising Funk" Mainstream / Red Lion Production Records
  14. Eddie Bo – "Hook & Sling" Scram Records
  15. Bill Withers – "Kissing My Love" Sussex Records
5 – The group was called The Chubukos for the 7" single, but they were called Afrique for their LP Soul Makossa.

SBR 521

  1. The Politicians – "Free Your Mind" Hot Wax Records
  2. The Village Callers – "Hector" Rampart Records
  3. Joe Tex – "Papa Was Too"* Dial / Atlantic Records
  4. Sound Experience – "Devil with the Bust" Philly Soulville Records
  5. James Brown – "Soul Pride" King Records
  6. All the People – "Cramp Your Style"* Blue Candle Records
  7. Johnny Pate – "Shaft in Africa" ABC Records
  8. Barry White – "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More Baby"* 20th Century Records
  9. "L.L. Bonus Beats #2" – Tommy Roe – "Dizzy" ABC Records ***Note... Looped into a 1:40 min bonus beat.

    SBR 522

  10. Barrabas – "Woman" RCA Records
  11. Creative Source – "Corazon" Sussex Records
  12. Southside Movement – "Save the World" 20th Century Records
  13. The J.B.'s – "The Grunt "* King Records
  14. Rufus Thomas – "Do the Funky Penguin "* Stax Records
  15. Shotgun – "Dynamite "* ABC Records
  16. Gary Numan "Films" Beggars Banquet Records

    SBR 523

  17. Rufus Thomas – "The Breakdown "* Stax Records
  18. Jim Dandy – "Country Cooking" Chrysalis Records
  19. Pleasure – "Joyous" Fantasy Records
  20. Solomon Burke – "Get Out of My Life, Woman"* Atlantic Records
  21. Alphonse Mouzon – "You Don't Know How Much I Love You" Blue Note Records
  22. Delegation – "Oh Honey" Shady Brook Records
  23. Freda Payne – "The Easiest Way to Fall"* Invictus Records

    SBR 524

  24. Lowell Fulsom – "Tramp" Kent / United Records
  25. Freddie Scott – " Got What I Need" Shout Records
  26. Lyn Collins – "You Can't Love Me, If You Don't Respect Me" People Records
  27. The Emotions – "Blind Alley" Volt / Stax Records
  28. Lonnie Liston Smith – "Expansions " Flying Dutchman Records
  29. Otis Redding – "Hard to Handle"* ATCO Records
  30. The Grass Roots – "You and Love Are the Same" ABC / Dunhill Records
  31. Tom Scott and the L.A. Express – "Sneakin' in the Back" Ode Records

    SBR 525

  32. Southside Movement – "I've Been Watching You" 20th Century Records
  33. Lou Donaldson – "Pot Belly" Blue Note Records
  34. Samba Soul – "Mambo #5" RCA Records
  35. Five Stairsteps – "Don't Change Your Love"* Curtom Records
  36. Lamont Dozier – "Take Off Your Make-up" ABC Records
  37. Ike White – "Love and Affection" LAX Records
  38. James Brown – "The Payback"* Polydor Records

    Oddities

There are some oddities in the collection, with releases SBR 499 and SBR 500 discontinued and now considered "unofficial", while SBR 508 was released with two different track listings. The later, alternate track listing for SBR 508 is as below.

SBR 508

  1. Incredible Bongo Band – "Sing, Sing, Sing"
  2. J. J. Johnson – "Parade Strut"
  3. Blowfly – "Sesame Street"
  4. Manzel – "Midnight Theme"
  5. Mike Curb Congregation – "Burning Bridges"
  6. Johnny Jenkins – "Two Pigs and a Hog"
  7. The Fatback Band – "Fatbackin'"
  8. Jesse Green – "Flip"

    Later volumes

Also, two later volumes were released, both as SBR 526. The first version was re-released as Strictly Breaks 1, and the second version was actually mixed and re-edited by Louis Flores.

SBR 526

  1. Joe Tex – "You Said a Bad Word"
  2. Johnnie Taylor – "Ever Ready"
  3. Coalkitchen – "Keep on Pushing"
  4. Graham Central Station – "The Jam"
  5. Trouble Funk – "Let's Get Small"
  6. Tony Alvon & the Belairs – "Sexy Coffee Pot"
  7. Hank Carbo – "Hot Pants Pt. 2"

    Other notes

The earliest track on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series is Joe Tex's "Papa Was Too", released in 1966, with the latest being Fonda Rae's "Touch Me ", released in 1984.
The rarest track to be included on the Ultimate Breaks & Beats series is Manzel's "Midnight Theme", originally released on a Fraternity Records 7" record in 1975, though multiple reissues have been released and the song is available on many websites, including YouTube. However, for unknown reasons, the track was the only track left off a CD of all the tracks ever released on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats albums, possibly due to copyright issues.
DJ Superix, a British DJ, is the first DJ known to have compiled every single break from every volume of Ultimate Breaks and Beats into one mix, entitled "Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate!", released in 2008. DJs Harry Love and MK originally released a mix CD as a tribute to the series entitled Beats Per Minute. While this CD did not feature every break, it was one of the first in the UK dedicated to be the Ultimate Breaks & Beats series.
The first ever DJ mix in tribute to Ultimate Breaks & Beats is DJ Q Bert's Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik. Subtitled as "A Pre-School Break Mix", DJ QBert mixed duplicate copies of UBB tracks with scratching and incorporated dialogue and samples from television, film and popular culture, notably comic books, cartoons and video games.

Other similar breakbeat compilations

Many drum break series compilation albums followed Ultimate Breaks and Beats, including: