S.O.U.L. / Jimmy Castor - Burning Spear / It's Just Begun

Year Released: 1971 / 1972
Genre: Funk / Soul / Breakbeat

Description:
This powerful double-sider pairs two of the most sampled funk recordings of the early ’70s.
S.O.U.L.’s “Burning Spear” (Musicor, 1971) is a deep, instrumental funk cut drenched in wah-wah guitar, electric bass, and Afro-Latin percussion — named after the Jamaican revolutionary icon and steeped in the political consciousness of the era. The groove is earthy and hypnotic, propelled by an irresistible drum break that’s been a DJ favorite since the early hip-hop park jam days.

Jimmy Castor’s “It’s Just Begun” (RCA, 1972), on the flip, is pure funk dynamite — blending hard percussion, cinematic horn arrangements, and Castor’s distinctive vocal chants into one of the most iconic B-boy breakbeats ever recorded. Its extended percussion break and bassline became foundational to early hip-hop culture, a staple at Bronx block parties.

“It’s Just Begun” has been sampled by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five on “She's Fresh”, Eric B. & Rakim on “Musical Massacre”, Jungle Brothers on “On the Run”, Ice-T on “Power” and countless others including Ultramagnetic MC’s, Steady B, Main Source and De La Soul to name a few..

“Burning Spear” was used by Pete Rock & C.L. “Smooth on Go With the Flow”, Justin Warfield on “Steppin' With the Sound” and Organized Konfusion on “Releasing Hypnotical Gases”

Both tracks remain cornerstones of breakbeat, funk, and Hip-Hop heritage, their raw rhythmic power still lighting up dancefloors half a century later.