Instrumental

Instrumental on vinyl: beats, instrumental versions and jazz

In short: Instrumental brings together instrumental tracks, beat albums and instrumental versions – mostly from hip-hop, for DJs, producers and anyone who wants to listen to the beat – plus jazz in which the instruments take the lead. Some of the records listed here also include vocals or rap. The Vinyl Room currently has 48 instrumental records.

What does instrumental mean?

Beats and instrumental versions: RJD2 with “More Is Than Isn't”, Nujabes with Force Of Nature and Fat Jon and the music for “Samurai Champloo”, Dr. Octagon with “Instrumentalyst”, Cut Chemist with “The Audience's Listening” and Mr. Scruff with “Keep It Unreal”.

Jazz with the instruments up front: Buddy Rich with “Very Live At Buddy's Place”, Gerry Mulligan with “The Genius Of Gerry Mulligan”, Zoot Sims with “New Beat Bossa Nova” and André Previn & His Pals with songs from “Gigi”.

What to look for

Our instrumental records are mainly US editions; the 2000s and 2010s are the largest groups; label, catalogue number and year of release help you tell which edition you have – it’s noted with each copy.

From our stock

First pressings

New in

→ Boom bap · Abstract · Cut-up/DJ · Hip-hop on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

FAQ

What does instrumental mean? Music centred on the instruments – beats, instrumental versions and jazz; some records also include vocals or rap.

Why are there instrumental versions of hip-hop records? For DJs and producers – and for anyone who wants to hear the beat on its own.

Is there jazz too? Yes, for example Buddy Rich, Gerry Mulligan and Zoot Sims.

Which instrumental records do you have? Here, for example, RJD2’s “More Is Than Isn't” and Buddy Rich’s “Very Live At Buddy's Place”.