Larry Heard
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Larry Heard (born May 31, 1960[1]) is a musician [1] widely known for the Chicago house music he produced in the mid-1980s and continues to produce today. He was leader of the influential group Fingers, Inc. and has recorded solo under various names, most notably Mr. Fingers. His smooth, warm production style with soulful vocals and long instrumental passages that de-emphasized percussion spearheaded the subgenre known as deep house.
Born on the South Side of Chicago, Heard grew up hearing Jazz and Motown at home, and could play several instruments from a young age.[1] Before beginning his solo career in 1983, he was a member of the bands Infinity (a Jazz-fusion cover group that included Adonis) and Manhattan Transfer.[1] He also worked for the US government as a benefit authoriser, which enabled him to buy his first studio equipment.[1] Although he has created much music and his career is ongoing, he is most well-known for producing these songs, mostly from the mid-1980s, considered classics in the House and Nu-soul genres:
- "Can You Feel It"
- "Bring Down the Walls" (ft. Robert Owens)
- "Mystery of Love"
- "Washing Machine"
- "Donnie" (as 'The It')
- "Closer"
- "What About This Love"
He has mentored other successful artists, most notably Son Dexter, whose label Alleviated Records has released some of Heard's music.
Much of Heard's music is released and re-released under different names, including Fingers, Inc., Mr. Fingers, Loosefingers, House Factors, Trio Zero and Robert Owens (the vocalist on those tracks). Heard was also part of the duo known as 'The It' along with street poet Harry Dennis.[1]
In October 2004 Can You Feel It appeared in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on House Music radio station SF-UR.
Contents |
- Another Side (1988) * Featuring Robert Owens & Ron Wilson
- Introduction (1992)
- Love's Arrival (2001)
- Where Life Begins (2003)
- Loose Fingers (Soundtrack From The Duality Double-Play) (2005)
- Amnesia (1989)
- "Mystery of Love" (1985, DJ International)
- "Bring Down the Walls" (1986, Trax)
- "Can You Feel It" (1986, Trax)
- "A Path" (1987, Alleviated)
- "Distant Planet" (1988, Alleviated)
- "A Love Of My Own" (1988, Alleviated)
- "On a Corner Called Jazz" (1992, MCA)
- "What About This Love?" (1992, FFRR)
- "Closer" (1992, MCA)
- "The Complete: Can You Feel It" (2004)
- "Dead End Alley" (1989, MCA)
- Son Dexter EP (2000)
- Inspirations (2001)
- We Call It Acieeed (2002)
- The Wild Bunch: The Original Underground Massive Attack (2002)
- Original Chicago House Classics (2002)
- Mastercuts Bar Social, Vol. 2 (2002)
- Serie Noire 2 (2003)
- Move Your Body: The Evolution of Chicago House (2003)
- Ministry of Sound: Late Night Sessions (2003)
- Inspirations (2 CDs) (2003)
- Culture Club Compilation (2003)