Breakdown section

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The portion of a dance oriented record where the various elements of the recordings mix are stripped down, often to just the beat, bassline or vocal part. This usually occurs after the record's second chorus and is followed by a dramatic reintroduction of the recording's elements. This serves to bring the record to a climax, but also provides a convenient place for the DJ to begin mixing in the next record to be played. The breakdown section was invented by accident by Tom Moulton, who was seeking to cover the fact that a performance he was mixing had immaculated (gone up noticably in pitch, as live performances are apt to do occassionally). Mr. Moulton covered for this fact by editing-in a section of the recording that contained no tonal elements, namely a section of drums. It was immediately noticed that this bare rhythmic part was attractive for the reasons given above. Perhaps instinctively, Mr. Moulton had placed this first breakdown section in the spot usually occupied by the "bridge" on a pop record, and that is where it can usually be found on any dance record to this day.

The breakdown sections, or "breaks", of dance records would later form the musical foundation for "breakdancing" and hip-hop culture in general.

Breakdown Sections Which Became Songs or Separate Recordings

"Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway: became the song "Ride on Time" by Black Box. While Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch also sampled the recording, they took mostly from the verse of the song. In the Black Box recording, the breakdown section is consistently heard in the form of the piano riff that comprises the bulk of Black Box's "melody".

"Good Times" by Chic: became "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang (whether Chic's recording was acutally used appears to be a matter in dispute with Sugar Hill Gang maintaining they hired a session band who re-performed the entire breakdown section from the song).

Source for historical origins of the breakdown section: http://www.disco-disco.com/tributes/tom.shtml (the article is quite extensive and one will first learn the origins of the 12" single before finding that Mr. Moulton also invented the breakdown section. Though both the interviewer and Mr. Moulton will use the professional shorthand "Breakdown", the actual term is "Breakdown Section".)

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