The art of the drum break.  It’s purpose is to provide the musicians, in this example of the jazz-funk genre, a literal break from the theme that has been expressed repeatedly.  The theme then reaches it’s emotional peak, falls off a cliff - the drummer is then set free to create his/her own expression based on this theme without the hinderance of other instruments, and to get all the hippies in the crowd doing their crazy dance.  Usually the bass player is the first to pick back up and join the solo drummer, followed by the rest of the musicians.  When the rest finally join in, it is with great relief and triumph, where they restate their earlier repeated expression with great enthusiasm.  The result is the song gone full circle, with the repeated musical phrase now thrust back full force, the break well needed in order to give greater appreciation to the initial theme.

For two examples of how the drum break is utilized by a pair of Detroit jazz-funk bands, listen to the , and

Read my previous post for for more info on breaks and how to breakdance.