Review: Music stars Pharrell Williams, the Beastie Boys and more discuss influential Roland drum machine in documentary ‘808’

Everything you ever wanted to know — or perhaps never knew you wanted to know — about the wildly influential Roland TR-808 drum machine is laid out with entertaining, if exhaustive, brio in the documentary “808.”

Manufactured by Japan’s Roland Corporation from 1980 to 1983, the TR-808 was initially conceived to assist in the creation of demo recordings; the device didn’t sound much like actual drums. But the reasonably-priced 808’s unique ability to evoke the deep bass kick, staccato snare, hi-hat whoosh and other percussion staples, began to attract a host of burgeoning hip-hop, R&B, techno, electronic and dance musicians — and a mechanical “star” was born.

Director Alexander Dunn, who co-wrote the script with Luke Bainbridge, uses a wealth of interviews with a kind of mini-Hall of Fame of modern music stars — Pharrell Williams, Afrika Bambaataa, the Beastie Boys and Phil Collins, to name a few — and producers such as Rick Rubin, “Jellybean” Benitez, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to recount the tale of the 808’s ascent and how it helped to develop and foster a pivotal mix of new musical genres.

An eclectic array of groundbreaking music and video clips, evocative archival bits (Marvin Gaye sings the 808-infused “Sexual Healing!”) and a vital sit-down with Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi round out a packed agenda, one that should captivate devotees but may overwhelm less initiated viewers.

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‘808’

Unrated

Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes

Playing: Arena Cinelounge, Hollywood; also on Apple Music

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