New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
80s band that passed me by - "The System" I've been trawling through a few old school soul/funk music blogs recently, and at the ripe old age of 42 I thought I'd encountered most of the 80s bands of that ilk and era. However there is one duo that completely passed me by - that being The System.
Are there any System fans on here, and can you suggest an album to start me off, or shall I start from the debut and work forward?
I'm going to Google them shortly, but was just wondering Little? Yeah, right. It might be little but it's loud | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
Oops - sorry mods - please move the to Music - Non Prince Little? Yeah, right. It might be little but it's loud | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
80s R&B flashback: "Don't Disturb This Groove" by The System (1987)
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
Wow, how did you miss The System? For me they are among the most influential of all the 80's electrofunk/soul groups.
ALL of their albums are great. That's "Sweat", "X-Periment", "The Pleasure Seekers", "Don't Disturb This Groove" , "Rhythm & Romance" and "ESP" which was their 2000 release after 11 years away.
Tracks you simply must check out:
Sweat You Are In My System It's Passion I Wanna Make You Feel Good Promises Can Break The Pleasure Seekers Big City Beat This Is For You Don't Disturb This Groove Come As You Are (Superstar) Save Me Soul To Soul Midnight Special Heaven In Your Eyes Coming To America (the theme song to the Eddie Murphy movie, I think they collaborated with Nile Rodgers on this track)
There's loads more but those are my favorites.
Also, they produced and co-wrote many hits of the 80's. They co-produced "Sussudio" for Phil Collins and "I Feel 4 U" for Chaka, I believe they worked on Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" also. In later years David Frank would go on to produce Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle".
Mic Murphy had a solo album in 91 or so called "Touch" which is also worth checking out.
Also it appears as if they are working on a new album right now
|
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
moderator
|
Oh, and I'd suggest you start with the "Sweat" album and then my favorite, "The Pleasure Seekers". |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Id go with Pleasure Seekers, Dont Disturb this Groove or Sweat, all great. I have to say I prefer Robert Palmer's 12' version of You Are in My System tho I do still love the original. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
^Toe? My long lost brother? Toejam @ Peach & Black Podcast: http://peachandblack.podbean.com
Toejam's band "Cheap Fakes": http://cheapfakes.com.au, http://www.facebook.com/cheapfakes Toejam the solo artist: http://www.youtube.com/scottbignell | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
This thread belongs in the Non Prince Music section.
Moving. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm a HUGE fan of The System. "You Are In My System" is one of my all-time favorite songs. I have all five of their albums, "Sweat," "X-Periment," "The Pleasure Seekers," "Don't Disturb This Groove" and "Rhythm and Romance" on CD.
If you're interested, I'll be glad to send you a two-disc anthology of their music I made for someone months ago who never responded back. It's not going to be every last song, but it's everything you would want from them.
And yes, Mic Murphy and David Frank are working on a new album, which is scheduled to be released later this spring. [Edited 2/23/12 6:02am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Thanks all for the replies. Going to check out the Sweat album shortly. I recognised the songs posted above, but had no idea who they were.
I still can't believe I missed them because I was a club fanatic back in the day.
I'm assuming they were bigger in the US than UK? Little? Yeah, right. It might be little but it's loud | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Yeah, The System were fairly popular during their day. "Don't Disturb This Groove" is the group's biggest hit, going No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Singles charts and peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Like I said, let me know if you're interested in the anthology I created. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
This one is under the radar, but its my FAVE thing from Mic Murphy,,,, | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Couldn't spot a co-production credit though
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
David Frank is with a whole bunch of synth-cats on that jam (Reggie Griffin, Philippe Saise, Robbie Buchanan).
The System did not co-produce Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You." The System produced the follow-up single, "It's My Night:"
[Edited 2/23/12 7:51am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Mic's early years. Harlepolis posted indeed already the Sass jam The Jack Sass Band also featured keyboardist and upcoming producer LaForest "La La" Cope.
And I still gotta check sometime this comp
Amazon.com: Unreleased Un...tem: Music
[Edited 2/23/12 8:04am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Wow - I've been killing "Don't Disturb This Groove" lately on my iPod. That is an awesome, well written and peformed song. The little modulated synth blurb just before the first verse kicks in is dope.
I downloaded the album this single came off of and it was pure doodoo, however; nothing's as good as DDTG. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Are they really? OMG! If this is true Iwill be sohappy. I absolutely love this band. They are so underrated. My fave albums are Sweat, Xperiment & Pleasure Seekers. I hope the new album sounds like those first 3 albums and notlike their last album. Too slow for meand not exciting enough. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
them, loved their sound! 
They had the jams!!!!!! 
In addition to "You Are In My System," "This Is For You" and "Don't Disturb This Groove," this is arguably my favorite song:
As stated, I created my own The System anthology from their five albums and various other songs. The two-disc set consists of the following:
"SWEAT:"
"Sweat" "You Are In My System" "It's Passion" "Stand Up And Cheer" "I Won't Let Go"
"X-PERIMENT:"
"I Wanna Make You Feel Good" "Lollipops And Everything" "Promises Can Break" "X-Periment" "I Can't Take Losing You"
"THE PLEASURE SEEKERS:"
"The Pleasure Seekers" (extended version) "Love Won't Wait For Lovin'" "This Is For You" (extended version) "I Don't Run From Danger" (extended version)
"DON'T DISTURB THIS GROOVE:"
"Don't Disturb This Groove" "Come As You Are (Superstar)" "Save Me" "Heartbeat Of The City" "Nighttime Lover"
"RHYTHM AND ROMANCE:"
"I'm About You" "Soul To Soul" "Midnight Special" (extended version) "I Don't Know How To Say ..." "You Got Me (Where You Want Me)" "Have Mercy"
SOUNDTRACK SONGS:
"Baptize The Beat" (from "Beat Street") "Coming To America" (extended version) (from "Coming To America")
BONUS TRACKS:
"Guardian Angel" "Diggin' Your Rhythm" "Why You Wanna Hurt Me?" [Edited 2/23/12 16:18pm] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
SoulAlive said: 80s R&B flashback: "Don't Disturb This Groove" by The System (1987)
This was my JAM!!!!! I never got tired of hearing it. "Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Militant said: Wow, how did you miss The System? For me they are among the most influential of all the 80's electrofunk/soul groups.
ALL of their albums are great. That's "Sweat", "X-Periment", "The Pleasure Seekers", "Don't Disturb This Groove" , "Rhythm & Romance" and "ESP" which was their 2000 release after 11 years away.
Tracks you simply must check out:
Sweat You Are In My System It's Passion I Wanna Make You Feel Good Promises Can Break The Pleasure Seekers Big City Beat This Is For You Don't Disturb This Groove Come As You Are (Superstar) Save Me Soul To Soul Midnight Special Heaven In Your Eyes Coming To America (the theme song to the Eddie Murphy movie, I think they collaborated with Nile Rodgers on this track)
There's loads more but those are my favorites.
Also, they produced and co-wrote many hits of the 80's. They co-produced "Sussudio" for Phil Collins and "I Feel 4 U" for Chaka, I believe they worked on Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" also. In later years David Frank would go on to produce Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle".
Mic Murphy had a solo album in 91 or so called "Touch" which is also worth
Also it appears as if they are working on a new album right now
Thanks for listing this. I had NO idea that they produced other acts and with such success!! I just really loved their vibe. It was sensual and "make-you-get-up-and-dance" at the same time. "Remember, one man's filler is another man's killer" -- Haystack | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
How come these guys don't have a 'Best of' CD by now? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The System are synth funk at it's finest.robert palmer covered You are in my system | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
They also produced Pump the Nation by Attitude...funky stuff! "Keep in mind that I'm an artist...and I'm sensitive about my shit."--E. Badu | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
|
Yep! And they actually produced his cover version too.
This is the rarely seen video for "Midnight Special" which wasn't available online for ages, then another orger and System fan actually managed to track it down on (I think) a promo VHS from the record label that he managed to obtain about a year ago.
|
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Download this podcast with David Frank!
NEW ALBUM BY MARCH 1st!! Called "System Overload"
http://www.soulinterviews.com/david-frank-2012/
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (82.7MB)
As evidenced by his exhaustive discography, Frank helped lay the foundation for synth-based pop music sound that’s still in vogue today on the music charts and heard in numerous music software emulations. He was an early adopter of the new compositional and sonic possibilities created through computer-based music technology. In the early 80s after acquiring the first sequencer and drum computer combination, he developed his own set of skills and deftly combined them with his impressive jazz/classical/R&B chops. Unabashedly embracing synthesized sound on its own unique merits, and not as a substandard substitute for natural musical instruments, Frank crafted a groundbreaking rhythmic and melodic perspective, that in the process, contributed significantly to a new style of pop music… Read more
Frank’s love of music extends all the way back to his childhood where at age 5 he was playing classical music. His studies continued throughout his youth as a student at the New England Conservatory and later at the Berklee College of Music. While at Berklee, an instructor brought in a copy of Wendy Carlos’ groundbreaking album “Switched On Bach”. Frank had already been experimenting with getting electric guitar sounds out of his Farfisa organ, and saw great creative potential in pursuing electronic musical directions. After Berklee, David began playing in bands around the Boston area. The bass player in one of those bands brought in an ARP Odyssey synthesizer for David to play. The new sounds intrigued him so much that he brought one for himself the next day. Later, David moved to Manhattan to become a session musician. In the course of doing that, he began playing at weddings while amassing more keyboards including those manufactured by Oberheim: the X-A, the DSX sequencer and the DMX drum machine which in effect making David a one-man band. A local studio owner called David to do a session for him in exchange for free studio time and suggested that he use to time to create a dance song. Knowing he needed a singer to do this, David initially wanted to use his upstairs neighbor and bandmate, a pre-stardom Madonna. Instead he called up another singer, Mic Murphy, whom he knew from his work as a tour keyboardist with Kleeer. A marathon recording session resulted in “In Times of Passion”.The next day, The System were signed to Mirage Records which was a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. “In Times of Passion” became both a radio and club hit in New York. The interest sparked enough interest for Mirage to give David and Mic an advance for an album. The album, “Sweat” launched club hits “Sweat”,”I Can’t Let Go” and the iconic “You Are In My System” which became a top ten R&B smash. Robert Palmer’s cover of the song became a mainstream rock hit. Becoming in-demand producers/songwriters ,they scored million sellers with Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You”, Phil Collins’ “Sussudio” and Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit”. They garnered movie credits, appearing on the soundtracks of two Eddie Murphy blockbusters, “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Coming To America”. In the early 90s, David moved to Los Angeles where he opened his own recording studio, Canyon Reverb. Becoming fluent in the use of industry standards, Digidesign’s Pro Tools and Apple Logic Studio, David continued to push the creative envelope while becoming a part of the rich creative community that he found himself apart of in Topanga Canyon. Meeting songwriter Steve Kipner (Olivia Newton John’s “Physical”, Chicago’s “Hard Habit To Break”) through his publisher EMI Music Publishing, David found a good collaborator which resulted in a gold single for 98 Degress, “The Hardest Thing”. A&R exec Ron Fair sent David a tape of singer/label signee Christina Aguilera to see if the songwriter duo could come up with anything for. In the interim, David was contacted by UK songwriter Pam Sheyne whom friends of his had recommended.Co-written by David,Steve and Pam and co-produced by David and Steve, “Genie In The Bottle” went platinum during the summer of 1999, spending five weeks at number one pop. Christina received a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy nomination for “Genie in a Bottle”and won a Best New Artist Grammy. The album “Christina Aguilera” went platinum eight times over. The songwriting trio had another gold single with Dream’s “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”. In 2002, David signed as a songwriter to Universal Music Publishing. Around this time, he began traveling to London and Ireland to work with producer Steve Lipson, Wayne Hector, Marin Brammer and international singing stars Ronan Keating and James Morrison. He worked with acts here and abroad including Jojo, Liberty X, Boa, having top ten success with Westlife, O-Town, Ronan Keating and Jordin Sparks. David maintains a vigorous and creatively rich schedule that includes songwriting with top songwriters in Los Angeles, New York and London. Biography courtesy of David Frank
Playlist: 01 – Intro – The System – You Are In My System (Sweat, 1983) Background music during the interview: Peter Schmalfuss – Nocturne No. 8 In D Flat Major Op. 27/2, The Yardbirds – Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Wendy Carlos – Simfonia To Cantata #29, The Temptations – Cloud Nine, Aretha Franklin – Respect, Kleeer – De Kleeer Ting, The System – Sweat, The System – X-periment, Mtume – Juicy Fruit, Phil Collins – Sussudio, 98° – The Hardest Thing, Christina Aguilera – Genie In A Bottle, Omar – Wherever
[Edited 2/24/12 11:32am] [Edited 2/24/12 11:33am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Keyboardist/composer/producer/arranger David Frank is known as the founding father of electronic pop/R&B and half of the pioneering synth duo The System. Along with singer and partner Mic Murphy, they were best known for their innovative hits, the top ten R&B/dance hit “You Are In My System” and the number one R&B/number three pop classic “Don’t Disturb This Groove”. Frank’s post-System success includes songwriting/production/performance work on Christina Aguilera’s multiplatinum single,”Genie In A Bottle”. His genre’-spanning resume’ lists James Morrison, The Pussycat Dolls, OMAR, Jordin Sparks, Dream, Annie Lennox, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Phil Collins, Steve Winwood, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald, Mick Jagger, Phoebe Snow, Keyshia Cole, Robert Palmer and many more.You can totally hear David (The System) on this Steve Winwood track. A Fav of Mine.
Wake Me Up On Judgement Day
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Mic Murphy's Only Solo Album was very dissapointing. Goes to show you how much input David had in the group.
| |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
80s R&B flashback: "We Got The Juice" by Attitude (1983)---produced by the System | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |