Bob James appeared on a recent episode of The People's Party with Talib Kweli where he discussed "Take Me To The Mardis Gras" — one of Hip-Hop's most prized foundational breakbeats.

When speaking on the bell-heavy intro that has become a favorite amongst Hip-Hop producers and DJs, James revealed that he simply needed some "atmosphere" on the track which he reached out to percussionist Ralph McDonald (who was responsible for the "Jam On The Groove" break) to provide.

"Ralph was a good friend and a session percussion player and a compose of many great R&B songs," he said. "When I was making my Jazz cover version of "Take Me To The Mardis Gras" [originally by Simon & Garfunkel], he was doing session work with me and we wanted some atmospheric rhythmic sounds. Ralph dug down deep in his bag of percussion gear and started playing the go-go bell. I don't take too much credit because the bell guy on that song is Ralph McDonald."

"Take Me To The Mardis Gras" from Bob James' iconic 1975 album Two is a break that Grandmaster Flash is credited with playing and popularizing in Hip Hop's earliest days. Kid Creole of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 told The Foundation that "Mardis Gras' was among the breaks that the group would use one or two-word names to describe.

"If we wanted to rhyme over 'Ike's Mood' by Isaac Hayes we'd ask Flash to throw on 'the piano.' If we wanted to rhyme over 'Take Me To Mardis Gras' we would ask him to throw on "the bells.'"

EK Mike C of the Crash Crew says that when a DJ was cutting up "Mardis Gras" they'd instruct him to "Rock the Bells." That phrase became the hook for their 1982 Sugar Hill Records release, "Breaking Bells," which inspired LL COOL J's 1985 hit, "Rock The Bells."

"Take Me To The Mardis Gras" is a staple in the crate of every Hip-Hop DJ and has been sampled by Run-DMC, Mantronix, NWA, Davy DMX, The Beastie Boys, Ice Cube and Ghostface Killah for starters. It has been sampled in over 500 songs.

Check out the episode above.