The System

Pioneering synth duo the System harnessed the emerging synth and MIDI technologies of the 1980s to establish core elements of modern electronic pop through their direct deployment of synthesizers alongside sharp, thoughtful compositions.

Singer Mic Murphy and keyboardist David Frank first connected in New York during the early part of that decade. Frank, who had secured studio time by trading his session work, invited Murphy to collaborate on developing new material. Following their all-night session, Murphy brought the resulting master tape to an engineer acquaintance who cut it onto a 12-inch lacquer disc. The pair promptly presented the record to Mirage Records, an Atlantic imprint, and secured an immediate contract.

Their debut single "You Are in My System," issued in 1982, ignited enthusiasm on dance floors and urban radio stations alike, prompting the release of the full-length Sweat via Mirage/Atlantic. Additional cuts from the set, including "Sweat" and "I Can't Let Go," also drew club attention. The follow-up album X-periment featured the catchy "I Just Want to Make You Feel Good," the tender ballad "Promises" backed with "X-periment," and the intensely emotional "I Can't Take Losing You." In 1986 the duo appeared on Miami Vice performing the title track and single "The Pleasure Seekers" from that year's album; the project also yielded "This Is for You," a precursor to their later hit "Groove," as its second single.

The year 1987 proved especially fruitful, delivering the duo's biggest success when the title song from Don't Disturb This Groove reached number one on the R&B chart and number three on the pop side. Tupac Shakur later drew upon the track for one of his final releases. Their subsequent album Midnight Lover reached the pop Top 20.

This inventive style generated strong demand for the System's services as producers, songwriters, and musicians. Their contributions appear on Chaka Khan's million-selling cover of Prince's "I Feel for You" and Mtume's million-selling "Juicy Fruit," the latter of which supplied the foundation for the Notorious B.I.G.'s gold-certified "Juicy." Further credits include Phil Collins' "Sussudio," Angela Bofill's "Can't Slow Down," Pauli Carmen's "Dial My Number," work with Ashford & Simpson, and Jeff Lorber's "Step by Step." They also supplied music for the soundtracks of Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America, with the latter title track climbing to the pop Top Ten. Despite widespread interest, the pair declined numerous projects to avoid overextending themselves and established their own facility, Science Lab Music.

Rhythm & Romance, released in 1989 and containing "Midnight Special," "Have Mercy," and "Soul to Soul," marked the duo's final album together. In early 1991 Mic Murphy issued the solo album Touch on East West, highlighted by "Fit to Be Tied," which carried distinct System echoes. Frank performed on dates supporting Annie Lennox during the creation of her Live in Central Park CD and video for Arista, while continuing production work with Omar, Dionne Farris, the female pop vocal trio Wild Orchid, and Rebbie Jackson.