THE SYSTEM REBOOTED - Electro-soul pioneers … · THE SYSTEM REBOOTED - Electro-soul pioneers...

THE SYSTEM REBOOTED - Electro-soul pioneers DAVID FRANK AND MIC MURPHY talk to SJF about their new album, ‘System Overload.’

Written by Charles WaringWednesday, 17 April 2013 18:57 -

Let's rewind thirty years back to 1983 - it was a time when keyboard maven David Frank andsinger Mic Murphy in the guise of The System were beginning to reshape the sound ofcontemporary R&B with a futuristic, mechanised, sound that comprised synthesisers,sequencers and robotic drum machine beats. 'You Are In My System' was the duo's debut hitand it wasn't long before their distinctive production sound was sought after by the likes ofChaka Khan, Phil Collins, Ashford & Simpson, Scritti Politti, Mtume, Angela Bofill and manyothers.

The duo's music also appeared on some classic 80s movie soundtracks - such as 'Beat Street,'as well as the Eddie Murphy-starring films, 'Beverley Hills Cop,' and 'Coming To America' - andthen in 1987, The System scored a US chart-topper with their hypnotic beat ballad, 'Don'tDisturb This Groove.' But two years later, in 1989 and following the release of their fifth album,'Rhythm & Romance,' the System called it a day. Mic Murphy went on to release a solo album(1991's 'Touch' for Atlantic) while David Frank moved into session and production work (hiscredits include Christina Aguilera's 1999 hit, 'Genie In A Bottle').

The pair reconvened for 2000's 'ESP' but then followed another fallow period. Now, though, thegroundbreaking duo is back with their first long player in over a decade - 'System Overload' ontheir own Science Lab label. They recently found time to answer questions posed by SJF's

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System addict, Charles Waring, about various aspects of their career and of course, theall-important new album...

It's been twelve years since the last System album - why was The System on hold forsuch a long time and what brought you both back together in the studio again?

MM: A real desire to explore new music with David and challenge our musical abilities in thisnew framework of time, style and competition. Thought it was time. We love a good challenge.

DF: We were probably both so wrapped up in doing our own things that we forgot how much wevalued what we had done together. It was somehow just a perfect fit. Speaking for myself, I didso much music with other people and though it served the purpose well and I am proud of it all,

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there is nothing that quite matches The System and the compositions I have done with MicMurphy. It is, to me, my finest hour. So, when we started to talk about about "what if we madeanother album" we just tried it out and found that it still worked for us - the magic that is.

How did it feel to be creating new music again together?

DF: It just worked right away. This quote conveys the feeling:

Information is not knowledge.

Knowledge is not wisdom.

Wisdom is not truth.

Truth is not beauty.

Beauty is not love.

Love is not music.

Music is the BEST

- Frank Zappa, 'Packard Goose' Joe's Garage: Act III

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When Mic and I start making music it's the best!!

MM: It was actually easier than I thought it would be although there were the added challengesof distance (David relocated to LA in 1993 and I am still a native New Yorker) and getting toknow each other musically intimately again. You go into it with certain preconceptions of whoyou were before and the idea that you've changed your spots.

How would you describe the musical chemistry that you and David have when youcollaborate?

DF: Magic!

MM: It's compromise without a mediator and sometimes trial by fire; it's Darwinism and naturalselection; it's a distillation of ideas to create something that is akin to gene-splicing. It alwaysmutates into something different than what we started.

How would you describe 'System Overload' - and how does it compare with what you'vedone before?

DF: I think it's a fantastically consistent collection. I'm proud of every song through and through.No gaps, no regrets. I think collectively it is as good if not better than our past work.

MM: 'System Overload' has elements of many things we've done before. We used many similarcompounds and chemicals; soul, electronics, funk rhythms, emotional concepts, so the resultcomes up System!!!

The System records have always had a unique sound and musical character - howimportant was it to stay true to your sound and preserve your sonic identity with the newalbum?

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DF: It literally just comes out naturally that way. We both write lots of ideas and the final line upalways just sounds like The System. Honestly even the songs that we don't finish or don't usealways have a character consistent with our sound. They are just not as good in some way.

MM: It's important but no matter how hard we try when we make music together it alwayssomehow ends up sounding like us.

What prompted you to rework your biggest hit, 'Don't Disturb This Groove,' on the newalbum?

DF: It was an 'X-periment.' Just to see if it could be done. It took a long time to finish it. Manypeople like it and it's gotten a fair amount of play so far. It's not meant to replace the original.

MM: That was Mr Frank's idea and brainchild. I did not warm up to the idea for quite a while...but he really brought out something different in his musical approach.

Going right back to the birth of The System in '82, what circumstances led both of you tojoin forces?

MM: Actually quite by proximity and necessity. We both worked together in Kleeer - he as akeyboard sideman and I was moonlighting as road manager and looking for a musicalcollaborator having been in a few really good local NYC Bands including Jack Sass band. Wecouldn't get record deal so I thought I'd try it from the other side of the business to makeconnections that way. David had some bartered studio time and played me a track that blew myhead off - 'It's Passion' - and I knew I had to get on it.

You had a distinctive sound - was that by design or by accident?

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DF: Both. It came from our development as musicians. Never gave it any calculating thoughtabout success. Just worked and worked and tried new techniques, chords, instruments. Lot's oflistening and analyzing other music from very old to the newest of the new. All styles.

MM: It truly was just what happened when you stirred the two of us around in the pot. I was afunk rocker and loving the music coming out of the UK at that time; Soft Cell, Gary Numan,Depeche Mode, Ultravox, Roxy Music, Spandau Ballet, Phil Collins and David was a big fan ofR&B and funk & jazz...Parliament, Zapp and R&B that he was listening in Boston.

What equipment did you use to get the classic System sound?

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DF: Oberheim OB8, DSX, DMX, and a Mini Moog was the start...

MM: The early System was quite simple Oberheim, DMX, DSX, OB8, and Mini Moog.

Whose idea was the name 'The System'?

DF: Mic Murphy, ladies and gentleman!!

MM: That's my concoction...In 1981 the people's technological revolution was just beginning.The hippest item was the Walkman and the Baby Apple computer. Everything was a system - asound system and the system as in "we the people." The subtext was that we come fromcompletely different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

How did you get to sign with Mirage Records?

DF: Jim Delahante was the A&R man who signed us. He loved 'It's Passion' which was our firsthit - our first song too. It was on the radio in regular rotation in NYC and LA within 4 weeks ofour completing recording.

MM: As a result of my stint with Kleeer I knew two record execs; Jim Delehante at Atlantic andRay Caviano of RFC Warner and they took my phone call. I had my mentor, Dennis King, whowas the manager of Kleeer and head mastering engineer at Atlantic Records, press up threelacquers of 'It's Passion' the morning after we recorded it and I was able to walk it over to Jimand Ray. Jim called Jerry Greenberg (Mirage boss) in for a listen and he signed us on the spot.

Your breakout hit was 'You Are In My System' - do you remember how that song cameabout?

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DF: Yes. LOL......ok I'll let Mic tell you.

MM: We were given the opportunity to record an album instead of another 12-inch and one dayat the music building David played me this musical idea which he was a little shy about. Iimmediately recognized what was great about it. I flipped his chorus idea into the verse and theverse idea into the chorus and convinced him that it was hot and came up with the hook on thespot.

Robert Palmer later covered the song - how did that feel?

DF: Great. He was a favourite of ours. It is a worthy cover.

MM: I had been a fan of Robert Palmer from my Jack Sass days. We used to cover 'SneakingSally In The Alley' at our shows. So I was completely over the moon when we were informedthat he was cutting a version. Sure did help our credibility real quick.

In '84 you had a song, 'Baptise The Beat,' on the 'Beat Street' movie - how did that comeabout?

DF: They were making the movie in NY and asked us to be in it because we were a big part ofthe NY music scene, Check out the new remixes of it on Electro Ave Records. So much fun!!

MM: We were asked by Atlantic to screen the movie and we wrote the song the next day andwe were very fortunate to have it included in the soundtrack. Once again we came up withsomething quite unusual in beat and approach and it worked. I love when that happens.

You also performed the title song on the Eddie Murphy movie, 'Coming To America' -how did you get involved with the movie?

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DF: We didn't write that song. Nile Rogers did. The soundtrack was on Atlantic and they wantedus to do that song. It was great working with Nile.

MM: Actually Nile Rogers produced the soundtrack and wrote the song - we provided theSystem flavour.

What do you recall of working with Chaka Khan on her 'I Feel For You' album?

DF: Besides playing on it... I was in the studio one day and watched Arif Mardin, the producer,editing 1/2 inch tape and flying in tape scratching sounds....for many hours. Arif was a brilliantmusician. He and Reggie (Lucas) made a huge forever hit out of a good basic song. Arif wasable to get the best out of all of us as he was just plain old charming and relaxed. The overallsound environment that the production lives in was totally unique at the time and still is, at leastto my ears.

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MM: Singing the chorus of 'This Is My Night' (which we wrote) with her in the vocal booth whileshe was chain smoking and singing her ass off. So much adrenaline I think I sang higher than Iever had before.

Of all the outside production projects that The System did, do you have a favourite one?If so, which one and why?

DF: Actually we put our all into them all. I really can't single one out.

MM: So many magic moments. Producing Ashford & Simpson's 'It Comes with the Package';song writing a demo called 'Wrap Around Girl' with Mick Jagger; Gavin Christopher's 'You AreWho You Love' - what a pure singer and spirit; Jeff Lorber's 'Step By Step' featuring AudreyWheeler and, of course. Angie Bofill's 'Another Night With No Love In Sight.'

What memories do you have of making 'The Pleasure Seekers' album in '85?

DF: That's a big question....one feature was yelling 'Big City Beat' at Unique (studio) with TomLord-Alge producing.

MM: I remember recording at Unique Recording with the Lord-Alge Brothers...really greatrecordings and mixes and feeling like we had found our niche.

'Don't Disturb This Groove' was a number one record for you in '87 - what did it feel liketopping the charts and what effect did it have on both your lives and career?

DF: I woke up with a smile on my face for months. It was everything I ever wanted to achieve.Still is.

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MM: The feeling of catching the perfect moment when everything just comes together...for me itwas a perfect combination of hard and soft and it really was the template for many grooves thatcame after it.

After 'Rhythm and Romance' in '89, you went your separate ways - why was that?

MM: Wish I had that answer!

DF: We had done five albums and probably ten others for other artists and Mic wanted to do asolo album so it was time for a break. We also had opened a studio which was a business thatwas difficult to maintain. Life teaches you. We are back!!

What's been the highlight of your career so far?

DF: 'Don't Disturb This Groove' and the privilege of writing, learning about and playing musiceveryday all day.

MM: Playing a little LA club, 'Club Lingerie,' in 1983 just on the heels of our first album followedby our appearance on 'Soul Train.' #2 little known fact: we were slated to appear on 'Solid Gold.'Not sure of the name. They film three acts and which ever two move up the charts they air onTV the following week. Kool and The Gang had 'Celebration' and then I watched a little guy inhigh heels (Prince) perform 'Little Red Corvette' - needless to say our 'Pleasure Seekers' endedup on the cutting room floor. I would love a copy of that footage.

What do you think your greatest achievement was with The System?

DF: 'Don't Disturb This Groove,' 'You Are In My System,' 'The Pleasure Seekers,' 'This Is ForYou,' 'It's Passion,' 'System Overload,' 'Diabolical Love' and the whole body of work. If you

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printed it out it's quite substantial....like my classical composer idols.

MM: We made some really good ear-bending records and created a style all our own.

What response have you had to the new album so far?

DF: It's been great. Reviews couldn't be better and it is a work in progress and a promotionalchallenge that we are enjoying very much.

MM: Really heartfelt shout-outs from long time fans and new ones alike.

Will you be doing any live gigs to promote the album release?

DF: Yes very soon. We are setting that up.

MM: We really hope to tour this record - that would be a great achievement.

After this, are there any plans for more System albums to follow in the future?

DF: Yes, I have sent Mic at least six track ideas in the last week. We will do somethingmonumental. I just got some new gear and software including Access Virus Ti2, Elektron AnalogFour, Ableton Live 9 and I'm studying and studying.... thinking of our next take on the 'UrbanElektro Music' of the future.

MM: We demo'd an awful lot of tunes for this album so we have a well to dip from and afterpriming the pump the ideas are truly flowing.

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'System Overload' is out now via Science Lab Records.

Read the review here: http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/reviews/2134-the-system-system-overload-science-lab-records.html

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THE SYSTEM REBOOTED - Electro-soul pioneers … · THE SYSTEM REBOOTED - Electro-soul pioneers...

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