[I’ll Give You a Break is a sporadic series of posts highlighting obscure (and not so obscure) breakbeats in unlikely places, so that they may be sampled by producers or just enjoyed for their own geeky purposes. NB: Don’t forget to clear all samples through the proper channels (cough).]

Another HUGE break hiding in plain sight in a 40-year-old rock song. Will wonders never cease? It’s unlikely. Bob Seger System’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” comes from the 1969 LP of the same name; it’s exceedingly difficult to find a copy and for some reason Seger refuses to reissue it on CD or vinyl (a 1993 CD reissue is long oop). Which is a damned shame, as it’s Seger’s best album. He suffers from the Kraftwerk syndrome, i.e., he doesn’t realize that his debut LP is an all-time classic that needs much greater exposure.

If you only know this Detroit singer/songwriter from those overplayed TV ads and hokey wedding staples like "Old Time Rock and Roll," you don’t really have a true sense of his magnificence. Before he schmaltzed out, Seger wrote some savage garage-rock burners, some rad Dylan homages, some non-cheesy, poignant ballads, and even got convincingly psychedelic in his rootsy, Midwestern manner. But for our purposes here, let’s dissect “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” The first eight seconds are pure kick/hi-hat/finger-snapping gold, nearly as world-dominating as Billy Squier’s “The Big Beat.” The rest of the song is hopped up on young-alpha-male fuck/fight juice, but it also packs in a lot of soul in its Rust Belt garage-rock stomp.

Since Seger doesn’t acknowledge Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man’s existence, you might be able to get away with using this bump for free. It’s not like he needs the money, either…

Bob Seger System’s “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” (taped off a TV, with poor sound and corny intro)

(better audio, LP cover art)