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Florida breaks, which may also be referred to as The Orlando Sound, Orlando breaks, or The Breaks, is a genre of breakbeat dance music that originated in the central region of Florida, United States.[1] Florida Breaks draws on hip-hop, Miami bass and electro. It often includes samples of early jazz or funk beats from rare groove or popular film. It often features vocal elements.[2] Compared to the hip-hop on which it is based,[1] the style is faster, more syncopated, and has a heavier and unrelenting bassline.[2] The beat frequently slows and breaks down complex beat patterns and then rebuilds.[2] The genre has been described as being easy to dance to while creating an uplifting, happy, or positive mood in the listener.[2]
| Florida breaks | |
|---|---|
| Other names |
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| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 1980s and early 1990s, United States |
| Derivative forms | Acid breaks |
| Regional scenes | |
| |
| Local scenes | |
Late 1980s – early 1990s
The style emerged during the late '80s at the Beacham Theatre in Orlando[2] and gained popularity in the local underground music subculture during the city's Summer of Love era, roughly 1989 to 1992.[3][4] Genre pioneer Eddie Pappa, influenced by nights spent at the Beacham, honed his skill at The Edge when it opened in 1992. In 1993, it gained prominence state-wide and, propelled by large events at the Edge, elsewhere in the U.S. and Europe.[5]
Mid-1990s popularity
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 Nick Newton's - Planet Acid combines acid, electro, and breakbeat elements for a grittier Florida sound. |
The Breaks influenced producers who mixed breakbeat with progressive and trance, producing a mixture that became known as "The Orlando Sound" or Florida breaks.[5] The sound became popular among DJs and club goers during the mid-1990s. It was marketed internationally as "Orlando friendly."[2]
English breaks DJ and producer Nick Newton released a 1996 record Orlando.[5]
There is only general consensus on the defining elements of the genre, which spawned regional and preference variations.[2] For example, the Orlando Sound of Central and Northern Florida were influenced by new beat, trance, and progressive house sounds. Producers in South Florida and Tampa chose a deep house flavor or retained more of the funk and hip-hop influence of Miami's "ghetto-bass" or funky breaks.[2][6][7]
The genre received limited local radio play in Central Florida on radio stations WXXL (106.7 FM)[2] and on college radio WPRK (91.5 FM),[2] as well as WUCF (89.9 FM), WFIT (89.5 FM on Space Coast), and WMNF (88.5 FM in Tampa).[5]
2000s
The international and local popularity of Florida breaks began to wane in 2000,[2] though it remains popular in Central Florida.[1][4]
AAHZ at the Beacham Theatre (Orlando),[1] The Edge (Orlando).[1] The Abyss (Orlando),[1] The Club at Firestone (Orlando),[2] The Beach Club (Orlando),[5] Icon (Orlando),[2] Simon's (Gainesville),[8] Marz (Cocoa Beach),[5] The Edge (Fort. Lauderdale),[8] and Masquerade (Tampa).[8]
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