System Overload
Product ID: 19950047
Product Description The Science Lab Boy's return to burn with a lighting rod full of Electro Funk. Hello 2013 Back to check your pulse with that System Sound The pioneering synth duo The System, comprised of lead singer Mic Murphy and keyboardist David Frank, rode the 80s wave of emerging synth/MIDI music technology to help lay the foundation for contemporary electronic popular music with their upfront, unapologetic use of synths and intelligent songwriting. Their revolutionary single You Are in My System helped to usher in a new era of electronically based pop music, leading to the release of their debut record Sweat in 1983. Following the release of X-Periment in 1984 and The Pleasure Seekers in 1985, the title track of their album Don't Disturb This Groove went to number one R&B and number three pop in 1987. The System's new album System Overload will please their longtime fans and gain new ones. The Dynamic Duo shakes up the clubs with stinging futuristic electri-funk mixed with tough love lyrical perspective and one of a kind soulfulness. Review Mic Murphy and David Frank were ahead of their time. Murphy was the vocalist and Frank the keyboardist for the 1980s R&B/dance/techno band The System. The group is best known for their 1984 hit You Are In My System and their 1987 mega smash Don t Disturb This Groove. The band was distinguished by Murphy s smooth vocals as well as lyrics that were a step above what was often heard in dance music. The System s production values were cutting edge for the 1980s. In fact, I went back and listened to the band s two biggest hits on You Tube, and both cuts hold up well today. Murphy and Frank include updated vocal and instrumental versions of Don t Disturb This Groove, on their new album System Overload. The band doubles down on the technology on the updates. However, Don t Disturb This Groove, version 1.0 hardly sounds like a relic. Those not aware of their history could hear both and conclude that the newer version is a remix. That is a testament to how forward leaning the original Don't Disturb This Groove turned out to be. Ironically, the biggest factors in The System's comeback are the qualities that predate the digital revolution solid vocals, infectious melodies and good songwriting. All three can be heard throughout The System's latest project, System Overload. Murphy s voice is a lively and soulful as it was when You Are In My System served as his musical introduction to the masses. Murphy spits his words out rapid fire on the propulsive dance number The Toast (to the Good Life), but his vocals manage to maintain a distinctive soulfulness. The bouncy, hip-hop influenced Tug O War is crafted to draw dancers to the floor. Still, it s the theme and the lyrics that elevate this post-modern R&B jam. The track employs the schoolyard game as a metaphor for two lovers who are constantly at odds and attempt to impose their will on the other: You go enemy/I take the blows/You hittin way to low/It s hand to hand/It s toe to toe/And we settle up the score/We drawin lines/We never compromise/The innocent caught in the middle/Just have to pick a side. The chorus proves that Murphy and Frank are still the masters of the catchy hook: You say it s day/I say it s night/We just can t agree anymore/You say it s wrong/I say it s right/Keep getting in this tug of war. It kind of seems right that a song about conflict has two choruses with contrasting views. Come on let me in your corner/And take off your body armor/Maybe we should join our forces/Our love is like a tug o war/you know we don t need defense/Making love is our consensus/Maybe we should join our forces/And maybe we could end this tug o war? Musical tastes change, and there are a couple of ways that veteran artists can respond. They can stay true to the style that brought them fame, or they can seek to adjust to the musical styles and tastes of the day. If an artists elects for the former he risks being labeled as a relic, and the latter creates risks of continually being one or two steps behind the ever changing musical landscape. However, if there is one theme that comes from listening to System Overload, it's that the time might just be now for these two music industry veterans who have been on the grind for 30 plus years. Pull aside the technology and you have what has always been the foundation of the best music: Strong melodies, great vocals and lyrics that say something. And that is timeless. Highly Recommended. By Howard Dukes-Soultracks --Soultracks
B**P
Excellent!
If you're reading this I assume you're already a fan of The System otherwise you wouldn't know about this album. I've been a fan of The System for some years now. Ever since I first remembered hearing Don't Disturb This Groove on the radio as a kid when I was riding in the car with my Dad. Mic Murphy and David Frank never put out a bad album and this one doesn't disappoint. Even though it's been some years since they put out any new material, this album was worth the wait. From start to finish it rocks! There are no weak tracks on it. No Fear of Flying, My Prayer and Sky Is The Limit are my personal favorites but every single song on here is a banger so I don't skip any tracks. They included a real futuristic sounding remix of Don't Disturb This Groove on here and it's superb. It doesn't top the original but it's darn close. As well as an instrumental for the title track which is a good album opener. I can't stop listening to this album and it will be in my collection for years to come. I would even go so far as to say this is actually better than Don't Disturb This Groove. Their debut album was an excellent album. Don't get me wrong, I love it. So all System fans please don't blast me. I'm just saying as far as being a complete album System Overload is better. I'm looking at the back of both albums right now and Don't Disturb This Groove had two songs on it that I don't care for. House of Rhythm and Didn't I Blow Your Mind were weak filler tracks. The rest of the album was classic. On this album there are NO weak filler tracks. I can listen to it without skipping any tracks at all. Though they are both completely different albums from completely different eras this album is just as much a classic as Don't Disturb This Groove. Mic Murphy and David Frank really did an excellent job of keeping their unique classic sound and updating it with today's modern sound. System Overload doesn't sound dated at all but then again The System were always innovators so I wouldn't expect them to. If you're a fan of The System I'm fairly certain you will love this album and if you're not it's still a good listen and it will definitely make you a new fan. So either way you can't go wrong.
E**E
The legends of electronic funk are back!!!!!!!
"System Overload" is an excellent album. We've waited for over 20 years for the legendary duo to bring back their musical magic back to us. David Frank and Michael Murphy established themselves during the early 80s as a great band as well as great producers. However, it seems as if they completely disappeared from the face of the earth. Their return surprised the hell out of me!!. I've been a fan of these guys since my childhood years and grew up listening to their incredible songs. I can never forget their early cameo in the movie "Beat Street".Anyway, the album is structured with great songs. "System Overload" is the mega jam of the album. This jam is already an instant classic!!. The synthesizer sequences and Mic Murphy's soulful voice absolutely rock!!. Only The System can produce a jam this potent. "No Fear of Flying" is another awesome song. Just pure magic!. This song just takes you to another place (you literally feel like you're flying up in the sky). Brilliant stuff!. "Your Love is a Motha", "Tug O War", "Toast to the Goodlife" are also great songs. My biggest surprised was the new modern remix of "Don't Disturb This Groove". I fell in love with it right away!. David mixes in some new sounds but keeping the classic flow of this classic jam intact.In conclusion, fill your ears with pure joy with "System Overload". It certainly is way above the rest of the so called musical talent of today (lack of talent i say!). The System has proven again that real music can never be duplicated and it will live through the test of time.
B**S
System still in full effect:)
Still bringing it their own unique way, very solid effort all around:)
F**E
System Overload
The boys are back. This is a classic system song. Funk synths and the music that keeps you going and going. I can't wait for their new Cd Album. They don't miss a beat at all. Mic with the classic vocals and David Frank with the music. Nuff said.
A**R
Phenomenal
An absolutely phenomenal comeback. Let's be real here - EVERY album David and Mic have ever made has been great and this one certainly does not disappoint! The title track, "Ur Love Is A Motha", and "No Fear Of Flying" are my highlights - the whole album is solid though, and there's a nice bonus 2013 version of "Don't Disturb This Groove" too :)
S**R
Simply Awesome
A spectacular collection of electro soul by the dynamic duo! Welcome back Mic and David! Keep the hits coming. By far my faves are Your Love is a Motha', System Overload, No Fear of Flying, and The Sky (Is No Limit).
R**O
Intoxicating Blend of 80s Harmonies With Current Rhythms
If you're a fan of the System's previous work, this album definitely won't dissapoint. The group has managed to blend the old with the new seamlessly creating a masterpiece in the process. Incredible album.
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3 weeks ago
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