Despite being one of the most important and iconic pieces of musical technology of the past hundred years, the Roland 808 drum machine was initially a flop.

Released in 1980, it distinguished itself from most of its competitors by synthesizing drum sounds rather than simply acting as a trigger for samples. The sounds it created bore no resemblance to a real drum kit, and this made it an unpopular choice for music producers at the time.

But those few who liked it…well, they really liked it. The unmistakeable sounds of the device appeared on two big songs from 1982: Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock” and Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.” And despite being discontinued in 1983, the 808 established a niche for itself, especially in the emerging worlds of hip-hop and electronic dance music; worlds where sounding different was the point.

As the 1980s continued and hip-hop made its way into the mainstream, it became clear that the 808 was a sonic signature of the genre. As has often been pointed out: what the Fender Stratocaster was to early rock n’ roll, so was the Roland TR-808 to hip-hop.

Decades later, the 808’s popularity has remained constant. Madonna, Outkast, Whitney Houston, Robbie Williams, Phil Collins, Britney, Beyoncé…they’ve all used it. And although it still evokes an 80s vibe, it has become just another tool; regardless of genre, an artist today might choose an 808 because of its distinctive sound, in the same way that they might choose a harmonica or a Hammond organ because of the sounds specific to those instruments.

And that’s how niche 1980s hip-hop technology found its way into the opening bars of a 2024 jazz song by New York vibraphonist Simon Moullier.

What makes this a beautiful song:

1. Of all the instances of an 808 drum machine I came across in preparing this post, this is the only one that uses the 7/8 time signature.

2. Moullier’s skill on the vibraphone is bonkers. The mallets spin across the vibes like a 1980s b-boy across the cardboard.

3. In the same way it’s hard to predict where the 808 will show up next, the frantic, sometimes jarring chord changes of this song make it tough to know where it will go next. But any time it hangs on to home base for a few bars, it’s such a groove.

Recommended listening activity:

The robot, but with jazz hands.

Buy it here.

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