The book by electronic instrument historian Oli Freke is a 336-page journey through six decades of music.
Bjooks Publishing has released BEAT GEMS: Drum Machines in Modern Music. Written by electronic instrument historian Oli Freke, the book is 336-page journey through six decades of drum machines, rhythm boxes, and grooveboxes, from early home-organ accompaniment to the machines that ultimately shaped hip-hop, house, techno, and modern electronic music.
The book opens with a foreword born from a conversation with Detroit-techno pioneer and drum-machine virtuoso Jeff Mills. Throughout the book, readers can explore around 100 rhythm machines and the artists, engineers, and ideas that transformed these boxes into instruments capable of defining entire genres.