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List article

25 Best 1970s Funk & Soul Drum Breaks

Updated: 2026-02-19

If you are building hip-hop, house, breakbeat, or modern soul, this decade is still the blueprint. These picks focus on records with immediate groove impact and high chop potential.

Method note: this ranking prioritizes sampled-feeling pockets and break-ready arrangements in 1970s funk and soul. Every item below links to a verified OpenDrumsOnly entry.

How to use this list

• Start with the top five if you need canonical break references fast.
• Work through the middle section for less overused but still high-impact grooves.
• Use late-70s entries to find tighter, more disco-adjacent drum movement.

1. Impeach the President - Honey Drippers, The (1973): One of the most sampled drum breaks ever pressed. OpenDrumsOnly entry
2. Synthetic Substitution - Melvin Bliss (1973): Canonical break with dry, cut-friendly transients. OpenDrumsOnly entry
3. Think (About It) - Lyn Collins (1972): Core funk break source with timeless groove DNA. OpenDrumsOnly entry
4. Ashley's Roachclip - Soul Searchers, The (1974): Tight and dusty break famous with producers. OpenDrumsOnly entry
5. It's A New Day, I Turn My Back On Love - Skull Snaps (1973): Heavy kick/snare pattern with huge break potential. OpenDrumsOnly entry
6. Funky President - James Brown (1974): Essential break for hip-hop and beat culture. OpenDrumsOnly entry
7. The Payback - James Brown (1973): Deep James Brown pocket and undeniable swing. OpenDrumsOnly entry
8. Give It Up or Turnit a Loose - James Brown (1975): Hard-hitting groove with solid drum clarity. OpenDrumsOnly entry
9. Look-Ka Py Py - Meters, The (1970): Minimal, funky drum language with huge pocket. OpenDrumsOnly entry
10. Handclapping Song - Meters, The (1970): Dry New Orleans funk feel that loops beautifully. OpenDrumsOnly entry
11. Son of Scorpio - Dennis Coffey (1972): Break-forward groove with crisp rhythmic detail. OpenDrumsOnly entry
12. My People...Hold On - Eddie Kendricks (1972): Soul pocket with clean, sampleable backbeat. OpenDrumsOnly entry
13. Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1972): Landmark groove with instantly recognizable drum movement. OpenDrumsOnly entry
14. Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin (1972): Funk-soul drumming with a powerful, danceable pocket. OpenDrumsOnly entry
15. I'm Glad You're Mine - Al Green (1972): Smooth but punchy rhythm section groove. OpenDrumsOnly entry
16. Take Me To The River - Al Green (1974): Spaced-out soul groove with strong downbeat feel. OpenDrumsOnly entry
17. Kissing My Love - Bill Withers (1972): Tight, warm break material with clear groove focus. OpenDrumsOnly entry
18. Jive Turkey - Ohio Players (1974): Heavy funk rhythm and great drum punctuation. OpenDrumsOnly entry
19. Never Had A Dream, Singing In The Morning - Ohio Players (1975): Thick funk drumming and layered break sections. OpenDrumsOnly entry
20. The Assembly Line - Commodores (1974): Tight ensemble groove with useful drum openings. OpenDrumsOnly entry
21. I Got My Mind Made Up - Instant Funk (1979): Late-70s funk drum drive with dancefloor pressure. OpenDrumsOnly entry
22. It's Just Begun - Jimmy Castor Bunch, The (1972): Foundational breakbeat-era groove and momentum. OpenDrumsOnly entry
23. I'm Going To Love You - Funk, Inc. (1973): Soul-jazz edge with punchy break opportunities. OpenDrumsOnly entry
24. Big Footin' - Parliament (1975): P.Funk rhythm architecture with hard drum personality. OpenDrumsOnly entry
25. Do That Stuff - Parliament (1976): Slippery funk groove with strong percussive detail. OpenDrumsOnly entry

Related: Top 10 classic breaks and 25 best 1970s jazz drum breaks. Think we missed one? Submit your break candidate.