Timmy Thomas – Why Can’t We Live Together

The very first album to fully replace drummers with a drum machine, Timmy Thomas’ Why Can’t We Live Together stands as one of the most remarkable soul albums ever released. The story goes that the title track was originally intended to be recorded with a full band, but producer Steve Alaimo listened to the demo and ultimately decided the track was finished the way it was with the stripped-down production. The mechanical and slightly haunting Maestro Rhythm Master drum machine patterns perfectly complement Thomas’ fluid organ playing and brooding songs exploring themes of war, racial inequality, loneliness, and alienation. Obviously, drum machines would go on to play a major role in the development of modern music. The title track would also later be sampled by Drake on his 2015 viral hit “Hotline Bling.” Rest in peace Timmy…

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