Roland D-50 Celebration Moments with Jimmy Jam

In collaboration with partner Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam emerged as one of the most successful producers and writers of the 1980s, his long history of R&B, club, and pop hits reached its pinnacle on a series of smash records for Janet Jackson. Born in Minneapolis on June 6, 1959, he first met Lewis in high school, and together they formed Flyte Tyme, a popular Twin Cities band which in 1981 evolved into “the Time”, a group led by Prince protégé Morris Day.
Jam and Lewis scored and produced countless R&B hits for the likes of Gladys Knight, Patti Austin, the Human League, Herb Alpert, New Edition, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blidge, Vanessa Williams, and more.
The multiple Grammy Award winning duo has a long connection with Roland - noted for their early use of the TR-808 Drum Machine, which was used in most of their productions.
We visited with Jimmy to capture his first impressions of our new D-05 Boutique Synthesizer. Jimmy also reminisces his love for the power of the original D-50.

[NeenMove]

I STILL HAVE MY D50 after 25 years and love it as much as I did when I first got. I had the honor and privilege with working under Jam and Lewis when I was in Sounds of Blackness. 😘😘😘

[jasperwalford]

Jam always chose amazing presets throughout the records he produced, especially key and bell sounds

[tonylancer]

Probably one of the greatest record producer duos(with Terry Lewis) of the 1980s. It's that Roland D-50 that made us dance, nod our heads and shake our bottoms. :D

[tomredman]

He writes his own music and plays all his own instruments including the drums..you are the man ..he has lived in Sicily Italy for the last 15 years, and has respect for people ..big love from Manchester england

[crissal]

About 15 years ago, my uncle found a Roland D-50 at a goodwill. He got it for 20 dollars. It was missing the power cord and had no sounds so he made a make shift power cord and with research I figured out how to load sounds into it with midi and sysex. The greatest find ever!

[mattluney]

ha ha, that's Minneapolis he says!  come back!  get this town bumping again please!  and it can still sound like 1987, that's coming back!

[simbaking]

The legendary producer also a big D50 fan!

[dwightddddd]

Jam and Lewis were the best!
Wish Roland would make new full size versions.

[cazal]

Just drove past the Edina Flyte Tyme location and it hasn't been torn down yet! Hoping beyond hope they leave it standing!

[onasimp]

Jimmy Jam's track record is f'n ridiculous man.

[thespadestable]

Back in the late 80's, I had a choice of purchasing a Korg M1 or a Roland D-50, and I went with the Korg. I still believe that was the best decision. About 10 years later added a Roland XP-30 to the Korg M1 and Ensoniq ASR-10. Nice instrument with a great history, and fan following though.

And as Jimmy Jam mentioned about the smaller keys, I too started out with a Casio and it was the CZ-101. Still have it to this day.

[antigoniem]

I think this is the first time I've seen him in regular clothes.

[kaizen]

next they should have a 90s producer discussing their Roland JD-800 resurrection

[EIrizarryMadOfficial]

0:00 Who else thought that Al B. Sure's Just A Taste of Lovin' Is All I Need was about to drop?

[johnharreld]

WOW!!!...That's What's Up...Dope...One Love Fam...

[mkmusic]

OMG! I love what he say about not wanting to reprogram sounds! Just want it to already be there! Exactly! 1:42

[westwasbest]

I was hoping you would do a piece on the TR 808, I always love the S.O.S. band and all of their songs, and know this piece was used in a lot of their work, absolute genius!

[WrvrUgoThrUR]

First of all...THAT HAT!! I Need it, NOW!!!! Then what the heck is he playing?!?!?! I NEED That too. Man YouTube!!!! To be free, you sure do cost me a 😆

[alvet]

Not even Pad or Bell sounds. I have Lead, Synth Brass and Harmonic Sounds on my D - 50 which sounds till today very unique :-).

[robertmorris]

Sounded like he was playing "Just Good Friends" @ 2:26