Hit the Floor

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Led by DJ/bassist Miles Tackett, L.A.'s Breakestra got their start about ten years back replaying famous funk and jazz samples used on hip-hop records. It was an entertaining concert but rather creatively limited. Over time, the band has grown and broadened into a fully fledged funk outfit, composing their own songs and drawing on 30 years of musical tradition to make new creations and fusions, similar to other contemporary groups with that retro soul sound like Sharon Jones or the Poets of Rhythm. James Brown is only the most obvious influence, but you can find everything from Eddie Bo to the Meters to Fela Kuti to George Benson to countless more obscure acolytes of raw soul/funk. The group's vocalist, Mixmaster Wolf, doesn't have as rich a vocal tone or range as, say, a Syl Johnson or Joe Tex, but he definitely has his chops down in riding the group's raucous rhythms. On the hip-hop tip, Jurassic 5's Chali2na joins up on "Family Rap" for a strong rap/funk crossover. It's a very uptempo affair overall: great for the party, though the album could have benefited from including a few more ballads; the closest they come is on one of the best songs, the mid-tempo groover "Recognize." --Oliver Wang

Product Description
While their debut album and legendary live shows predominantly paid homage to old school breaks n' beats gone by, "Hit The Floor" goes a step further as Breakestra create an album featuring all-original compositions and songs. From the call-out party vibe of the break-driven intro track "Stand Up" to the catchy blues-tinged "Hiding" and "Recognize", to the 60's vibe of the title track, "Hit The Floor" is a varied and accomplished sophomore album that will appeal to fans of Antibalas, Sharon Jones, and Quantic Soul Orchestra. Main man Miles Tackett and company perform regularly to capacity crowds along side such hip-hop luminaries as Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Black Eyed Peas, Freestyle Fellowship, Company Flow, Cut Chemist, Nu-Mark, and DJ Shadow.

Hit the Floor

Hit the Floor,Breakestra,Ubiquity,Deep Funk Revival,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,United States of America

Hit the Floor

Tracks:

Stand Up!
Gotta Let Me Know
Hiding
Burgundy Blues
You Don't Need To Dance
The Gettin' To It
At The End Of The Day
Recognize
Keep On Playin'
See Sawing
Family Rap
How Do You Really Feel?
Show & Prove
Hit Tha Flo!

Amazon.com

Led by DJ/bassist Miles Tackett, L.A.'s Breakestra got their start about ten years back replaying famous funk and jazz samples used on hip-hop records. It was an entertaining concert but rather creatively limited. Over time, the band has grown and broadened into a fully fledged funk outfit, composing their own songs and drawing on 30 years of musical tradition to make new creations and fusions, similar to other contemporary groups with that retro soul sound like Sharon Jones or the Poets of Rhythm. James Brown is only the most obvious influence, but you can find everything from Eddie Bo to the Meters to Fela Kuti to George Benson to countless more obscure acolytes of raw soul/funk. The group's vocalist, Mixmaster Wolf, doesn't have as rich a vocal tone or range as, say, a Syl Johnson or Joe Tex, but he definitely has his chops down in riding the group's raucous rhythms. On the hip-hop tip, Jurassic 5's Chali2na joins up on "Family Rap" for a strong rap/funk crossover. It's a very uptempo affair overall: great for the party, though the album could have benefited from including a few more ballads; the closest they come is on one of the best songs, the mid-tempo groover "Recognize." --Oliver Wang

Album Description

While their debut album and legendary live shows predominantly paid homage to old school breaks n' beats gone by, "Hit The Floor" goes a step further as Breakestra create an album featuring all-original compositions and songs. From the call-out party vibe of the break-driven intro track "Stand Up" to the catchy blues-tinged "Hiding" and "Recognize", to the 60's vibe of the title track, "Hit The Floor" is a varied and accomplished sophomore album that will appeal to fans of Antibalas, Sharon Jones, and Quantic Soul Orchestra. Main man Miles Tackett and company perform regularly to capacity crowds along side such hip-hop luminaries as Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Black Eyed Peas, Freestyle Fellowship, Company Flow, Cut Chemist, Nu-Mark, and DJ Shadow.

Customer Reviews:

Fun and Funky!.......2007-06-21

This album takes me back to a time when music was fun and made you want to dance. Everything, from the crazy drum beats to the vintage-sounding guitar, comes together to get you off your seat. These boys keep a raw sound that adds a live feel to their work, making it that much better. I can't help but start dancing when I hear "Recognize."

Awesome Funk.......2007-05-13

This is intense! A must have to groove along to!!!!!! Seriously, think James Brown with Jimmy Hedrix.

Good, but..........2006-03-17

Good retro funk band, but could be tighter. Want to hear what I mean? Check out Keb Darge Presents the New Mastersounds. That band plays hard, takes no prisoners.

Ain't it funky now?.......2005-11-30

Breakestra's "Hit The Floor" does indeed sound straight out of 1972. This is highly recommended to fans of funk, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and anyone who likes good music.

The songs lyrically are just alright themselves; they're not exactly blazing the lyrical trail here. However, the music, especially the drumming, is fantastic.

"Hit the Floor" is in the same vein of Medeski Martin & Wood, Stanton Moore/Galactic, Charlie Hunter, and Grant Green's funkier stuff. It also features Jurassic 5 in a song, which was my favorite song on the album. I would love to see Breakestra do an entire album as Jurassic 5's backing band.

Good stuff. Recommended! (I imagine these guys are an incredibly good time live.)

FULLY FUNKIFIED!!!!!!!!!.......2005-11-05

Hit the Floor is funky. If you like music you can just groove to, you'll dig this album. It sounds like it's right out of the funky late 60's to early 70's. Each track makes you want to shake your butt. You can't help but move when you're listening to this album. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

Average customer rating:

Who knew?

Hit the Floor!
You Say Party! We Say Die!
Manufacturer: Sound Document
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
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Lose All Time
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The Reminder

ASIN: B000C8488U
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

(Overture)
Cold Hands! Hot Bodies!
Stockholm Syndrome, Pt. 1
Stockholm Syndrome, Pt. 2
You Did It!
Gap (Between the Rich and the Poor)
Midnight Snack
Love in the New Millenium (Your Pants My Couch)
Jazz Crabs
Rise
He! she! you! me! they! we! us! ok!
Don't Wait Up

Customer Reviews:

Who knew?.......2006-06-30

This band has alot going for them. Still not all that popular in mainstream but damn I would buy the next CD if and when it comes out. Great come.

Average customer rating:

Hit the Floor
Mango Maniax
Manufacturer: Zyx
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005RCIP
Release Date: 2001-11-26

Average customer rating:

EBM lover
Potential I suppose
If He Has Ever Been Above, Then He Must Truly Be Asleep...
music to my ears

Distances
Namnambulu
Manufacturer: Nilaihah Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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Gelb

ASIN: B0001KREF8
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Tracks:

Memories
Beaten
Now or Never
Guardian Angel
Deception
Surviving
Hunting
Answers
Pause
Ignorance
Now or Never (Dopamin mix)
Apart

Album Description

After only 2 short years of being together, NamNamBulu is poised to take the world by storm! First discovered by VNV Nation, added to a tour with Melotron, and a strong following in Europe, NamNamBulu (NNB) are now ready for North America! Combining catchy hooks, strong vocals, and intense lyrics, they somehow make every song a dance floor hit and introspective ballad at the same time. For fans of Assemblage 23, VNV Nation, and Camaflouge.

Customer Reviews:

EBM lover.......2006-08-23

Namnambulu is such a GREAT band. The lyrics are incredible, plus, the powerful vocals and music make for a great experience. The first time I heard them, was at a club in NY. The DJ played Now or Never, everyone rushed to dance to that song and I have been sold ever since! I have both Distances and Expansion and love them both. I think Deception and Beaten are by far my favorate. Beaten such a powerful song. Anyone who likes the depth of Assemblege 23, VNV Nation will like this group. I would recommend them to anyone. I have had these cds since they came out and will never get sick of them!

Potential I suppose.......2005-05-12

I am wild about the vocals! When I heard "Answers" I was really impressed and wanted more. "Hunting" also stands out as one of my favorites. My only problem is that pretty much all of the songs sound the same. They start out having entirely unique personalities, but then the songs start including the generic clubby drum beats and the song lose its idiosyncracies. Overall, it's very listenable and the songs have a good flow :)

If He Has Ever Been Above, Then He Must Truly Be Asleep..........2005-02-17

Namnambulu is one of the more interesting bands that I've totally overlooked until recently - much to my listening dismay. I'd heard of them, sure, and I had bypassed them, and I'd done so partially because of the way they were presented. I'm not a fan of band comparisons, using them sometimes if the coinage fits but not really liking my shopping targeted because I drift in and out of music genres, and I normally ignore them. That was the case with Namnambulu, who I'd initially spotted on Amazon while shopping and ignored because the recommendation was given because of VNV Nation. I suppose I can see where that comes from now, with the dancefloor flavoring coming out, but I can also see how that might put some people off because there are no other VNV Nations. Much like that comparison hurt Pride and Fall (another underrated act), this comparison doesn't do any good for a like Namnambulu. Still, it wasn't a "labelling," but rather who discovered them. Hmmm. So, to Namnambulu:

Namnambulu is something of a "newer band" when it comes to international flavor, with them "popping up" in around 2002. They've done pretty well overseas, hitting in some places decently well and touring a bit, but they haven't exactly managed to "kick it up" in the American domestic market. That's somewhat of a shame too, because they do all the things that one would like from their EBM. They craft quality beats, they kick in messages that have impact, carry an array of introspective/ exterior topics ranging from becoming something to hurting without love, and they have great talent in the vocal department. In some respects they remind me of nothing I've ever listened to in the vocals, with a voice that stands out in a somewhat off-key manner (singing in E-minor?) and still has the capacity to convey emotions, and that's good in the crowded electronic arena. Its something of a different sound when you take and add it to the beats, merging into something that is quite taking and enjoyable.

As far as tracks go, the album is pretty solid. I caught "Apart" in an offbeat fashion, it being the only really slow song on the album and not really representative of the work as a whole, and I found myself moved by it. It almost seemed to plead within the beauty it manufactured, and that made me want to hear more.
"Now or Never," downloaded from Amazon, was the second track I tried on and it gave me another taste and I'm quite fond of it. It presents what Namnambulu does quite a bit, running amok on the dancefloor with EBM stylization, and it also has a meaning internalized within the flow. "If he has ever been above, then he must truly be asleep." That's good stuff.
"Surviving" is also a great track, with the vocals and the beat merging into a stellar motion that makes the body want to move, and I'd perhaps say that checking out "Guardian Angel" and "Beaten" would round-out what the album offers up.

These songs are simply highlighted, mind you, and the selection isn't meant to imply that they are better/worse than anything else on the work. I found it moving as a whole, loving the vocal work more than anything, and well worth picking up. There are 4 tracks available via Amazon as of right now, so you can acquire whole songs and see what you think.
Regardless, it comes highly touted!

music to my ears.......2004-03-20

I came across this band while surfing the web one day.I found a few mp3's of NNB on the net. I fell in love with them instantly. The songwriting is perfect. Each song had me tapping my foot and wanting to dance around my living room. Memories the 1st track is a great way to start a cd with energy. I enjoyed every song on this cd. I love the vocals. Have a very unique sounding voice. Kind of sounds like ernst horn from diene laikein. Fans of synthpop,ebm must have this cd.... The last track Apart is a lovely ballad. Buy this you wont be dissapointed