Arthur Baker

Arthur Baker

Arthur Baker is an American record producer and DJ from Boston, born in 1955. He begins his career as a club DJ in Boston and becomes one of the most visible early hip-hop producers, known for combining tape edits, synthetic beats and remix techniques at a time when those approaches are still developing.

Early work and hip-hop production

Baker’s first production work is at Emergency Records, where he debuts with North End’s Happy Days. After moving to New York in 1979, he becomes part of the emerging hip-hop scene and works with the Salsoul label on Joe Bataan’s rap novelty Rap-O-Clap-O. He returns to Boston for a period and produces a number of singles there, including Glory’s Can You Guess What Groove This Is?

Tommy Boy Records and major early recordings

He later goes back to New York and joins Tommy Boy Records, where he works with Shep Pettibone on Afrika Bambaataa’s Jazzy Sensation, a remake of Gwen McCrae’s Funky Sensation. Baker then takes sole production control for Bambaataa’s Planet Rock, a fully synthesised track inspired by Kraftwerk’s Trans-Europe Express. The record becomes a major influence on the early development of hip-hop.

Streetwise Records and crossover work

Success at Tommy Boy leads Baker to set up his own label, Streetwise Records. Through it he produces underground club records for Rockers Revenge, Nairobi and Citispeak, and signs New Edition, releasing the group’s debut single Candy Girl in 1982.

His work then moves further into the pop mainstream when New Order ask him to produce Confusion in 1983. The track becomes a club classic and also reaches the American R&B charts. The remixes of the song help extend remix culture into rock-oriented pop. Baker later produces recordings for Naked Eyes, Face to Face, Diana Ross, Jeff Beck and others.

Backbeat Disciples and later projects

In 1989, Baker assembles an all-star line-up for Merge, credited to Arthur Baker and the Backbeat Disciples, with contributions from artists including Al Green, ABC and Jimmy Somerville. A follow-up, Give in to the Rhythm, appears in 1991. He continues working in production after that period.

Aliases, labels and associated acts

Baker is associated with a number of projects and group names, including Brooklyn Funk Essentials, North End, Rennie Pilgrem & Arthur Baker, Arthur Baker and the Backbeat Disciples, Goon Squad, Planet Patrol, Blowout Express, Listen Up, Glory, Guru and Wally Jump Jr. and the Criminal Element. He is also linked with Shakin’ Baker Music.

Style

His work covers electro, electro-funk, freestyle, hip hop and house, and he is closely identified with the early use of programmed beats, synthetic textures and remix-driven production.