Music of Quality and Distinction: The British Electric Foundation

Another chance to hear Stuart Maconie look back at the pioneering work of British Electric Foundation (BEF), the production company formed by Sheffield-born Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh when The Human League split up in 1980.

BEF released two volumes of Music of Quality and Distinction, in which well-known songs were re-interpreted using synthesizers and sequencers, in order to show that electronic music could have soul. Artists such as Tina Turner and Billy McKenzie of The Associates Turner performed on the albums, which have in turn influenced contemporary artists including La Roux.

Contributors include BEF's Martyn Ware, Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory, Radio 2's Paul Jones and Sandie Shaw, who sang on Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One and Elly Jackson of La Roux.