The Vibrettes - Humpty Dump

Genre: Funk / Breakbeat / Soul
Year Released: 1973

Description:

Humpty Dump by The Vibrettes is one of the most revered deep-funk 7″ singles of the early 1970s — a raw, stripped-back rhythmic workout released on the obscure Barclay label. Though virtually unnoticed on its original release, the record became a goldmine for DJs and break collectors in the ’80s and ’90s, ultimately securing its status as a foundational breakbeat classic.

Built around a hypnotic, cyclical drum pattern, “Humpty Dump” features gritty guitars, loose-yet-tight percussion, and a bassline that feels tailor-made for block parties. The real magic lies in its drum break, an unpolished and deeply funky groove that became a staple in Hip-Hop sampling. Its swaggering pocket and unfiltered drum tones cemented it as a go-to break for producers chasing that undeniable dirt-floor funk.

The track has been sampled by dozens of producers, but a few standout uses include:

Caveman – Victory

MC Mell’O – Bizzie Rhymin

2 Bad Mice – Hold It Down

Humpty Dump remains one of those 7″ gems that proves how simplicity, grit, and groove can outweigh commercial success. Like many of the era’s most coveted break records, its legacy lives strongest in DJ crates and sample libraries — a true testament to the alchemy of the B-side breakbeat revolution.