Mixing ancient global rhythms with electronica that recalls the '90s stylings of the Orb, Wagon Christ, and Tranquility Bass, Africaine 808 are a duo from Berlin who took their name from their third "member," an 808 drum machine. Human members DJ Nomad and Dirk Leyers kicked off their musical relationship by remixing some of their favorite funk and Afro-beat releases into DJ edits that came with modern appeal. Adding a Roland 808 drum machine to their setup --which they nicknamed Africaine 808 -- allowed them to create music that was their own, and in 2013 they debuted with the "Cobijas" single on the Vulkan Dance label. The aptly titled genre mixer "Lagos, New York" launched their relationship with Golf Channel Recordings in 2014, then two years later the label issued the group's debut album, Basar. ~ David Jeffries