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Sudden Breaks Explosion

Author: Debra Tay
Tuesday, May 22, 2001
Has anyone noticed how a number of DJ's (both local and international) have been sneaking breakbeat tracks into their sets- Just a few weeks ago, a Melbourne house superstar recently declared that he actually enjoyed playing breaks more than anything else but his fans weren't receptive (!-!). In fact a reviewer said, "Sean Quinn's set was excellent till he started playing the breakbeat tracks".

It's not hard to see why he would want to jump onto the bandwagon, because everyone else seems to be doing so. Breaks is everywhere now, and pioneer breaks DJ's like Phil K, Brewster B, Khalil and Ransom are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. And it isn't simply because they're playing breaks records, but rather because they're darn good at it! I'm not going to go into the debate about whether DJ's should place more importance in developing their own styles or whether they should play whatever they think is trendy. Kudos to the breaks DJ's that have been true to their music despite having only a small following for the earlier part of their careers.

It is a smorgasbord for us breaks-lovers now since everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. Flipping through the weekly gig-guide alone is evidence enough of the growing "breaks scene". Does this mean that breaks-lovers will no longer be the 'poor cousins' of the dance culture here in Melbourne- It's extremely encouraging to see that breaks is no longer confined to one or two midweek parties, but instead, each week, we are spoilt for choice with almost every club organising some sort of breaks night.

The recent 331/3 Plump DJ's gig and Breaks Ahoy parties are but some of the successful breaks events this year, and we expect lots more to come. The most recent broadcast of Kiss FM saw a breakthrough record number of Breakbeat tracks being played - at least 1 Plumps track is religiously played each day. I'll confess that less than a year ago, I was one of the chupa-chup munching techno-heads. Truth is, although I had always been intrigued by breaks, it seemed too complex to understand, and even harder to dance to. Today, I am amongst the many converts that turn up at every breaks party to support the usual crew of DJ's.

I think its great that the scene is opening up at an exponential rate, and more and more amazing international breaks DJ's - Adam Freeland, Tayo, Fatboy Slim, Plump DJ's, Danny McMillan, Rennie Pilgrem… have graced Melbourne's clubs and parties. Whether Breaks is just the 'flavour of the month', or whether more people are truly starting to understand it, one thing's for sure, breaks DJ's like Phil K, Brewster B, Khalil and Ransom are going to keep on rocking!
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