BBC Sounds - 808 at 40 – The Drum Machine That Changed Music Forever

[nickking]

Available on BBC Sounds, is a programme on the Roland TR-808 Drum Machine, entitled "808 at 40 – The Drum Machine That Changed Music Forever".

"Hear musicians and producers like The Blessed Madonna, Graham Massey from 808 State, DJ Premier, Cosi Fanni Tutti. Stephen Morris from New Order, A Guy Called Gerald, Afrodeutsche, Jlin, Carl Craig and original co-creator of the 808 Don Lewis share their thoughts on the TR-808 and play some of the amazing music it has helped create.

The booming kick drum, snappy snares and crisp handclaps have been the rhythm section to some of your favourite tracks over the last forty years but you might never have realised . It is time to celebrate this plucky underdog that took over the world of music.

This playlist takes a journey through the music of the last 40 years featuring amazing eclectic and diverse music all featuring 808s in its DNA. From Electro, Hip-hop, House, Techno, Synth Pop and New Wave"

Tracks played:

1 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Riot In Lagos
2 Public Enemy Rightstarter (Message To a Black Man)
3 Jlin - Lotus
4 New Order - Confusion
5 Chris & Cosey - Dancing Ghosts
6 A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray
7 Beastie Boys - Hold It Now, Hit It
8 Carl Craig - From Beyond
9 LL Cool J - Rock The Bells
10 Richie Hawtin -Spastik

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000qh8r

[nickking]

Also, Graham chooses 8 essential tracks to celebrate the Roland TR-808:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articl ... -the-world

[nickking]

Here's one that was on today, entitled "We Celebrate 40 Years Of The TR-808 Drum Machine":

"We celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TR 808 Drum Machine which has completely changed the face of popular music.

The booming kick drum, snappy snares and crisp handclaps have been the rhythm section to some of your favourite tracks over the last forty years but you might never have realised . It is time to celebrate this plucky underdog that took over the world of music.

From Electro, Hip-hop, House, Techno, Soul, Funk, Synth Pop, New Wave, Drum and Bass, R&B to Trap. Its kick drum/handclaps/snare have created the backbone to so many genres, especially in black music.

We’ll hear clips from innovators and contemporary artists praising the 808 and its influence. including Cosey Fanny Tutti, Afrodeutsche, Graham Massey (808 State), Jlin, Stephen Morris (New Order) & DJ Premier about their love of the TR-808.

We’ll also have an exclusive interview with Don Lewis in California, the inspirational electronic musician/engineer who was one of the original consultants on the development of the 808. He’ll talk about the importance of innovation for African American musicians and how key the 808 has been to the development of black music. He will also discuss what it was like working in Japan at the Roland Corporation in the Seventies."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000q431