Mr. Fingers, or Larry Heard as he's better known, has delivered some really top-draw soulful house music over the years and this album released on MCA late in 1992 was an excellent example of how soulful Deep House music was. An eerie, haunting synth backdrop, dreamy keys and a pumping bassline. Some cuts are very much rooted in soul music and jazz, and Larry Heard is excellent at drawing all styles together, getting them into a fine blend and delivering the choicest dance cuts and seductive midtempo efforts. His follow-up set for the UK-based Black Market Records in 1994 was even more delicious - and very much a rarity now. In fact, when it was released in 1994 I phoned said Black Market Records to buy a copy...and the doophus on the phone had no idea it existed. Know your own product, that's what I say! Pmsl. Anyway, for those who love soulful, deep House then this is a CD for you. Most of you will have heard "What About This Love" - a mighty fine, cool, track that actually surfaced late in 1989 and was an instant winner for me. A track that stopped me in my tracks and had me pumping the radio up. Thanks, Jeff Young! Those were the days! 20 years on and the song has not deteriorated one modicum. Now THAT's what I call music!"Closer" is Deep House heaven. The haunting synths are enough to get the spine tingling, and Larry's melancholic vocals exude a sense of erotic and sexual anticipation..."I want you...yet I don't know you" he says...the urgent and galloping beats pay homage to his urgency and the bassline, akin to a disco beat adds another dimension. This is a mighty fine opening cut by any standards. Einstein would not be required to describe the flavour of "A Corner Called Jazz". A midtempo track with dreamy keys, female backing and some tremendously soulful sax. Lovely stuff!If you loved "What About This Love" then the KILLER "On My Way" will be another house flavour to savour. I cannot get enough of the Deep House sound, and thankfully - if you look hard enough - it's still about. Check the upcoming release from Cortes featuring Terry Dexter, and the Deep Mix in particular. Heaven!!!! My final pick is "Alright" which contains some lovely synth work and more soulful vocals courtesy of Larry Heard. For the more conservative soul head this may be a bit too far out but I imagine that the vast majority will be able to make a connection with this. The more of this stuff the better as far as I'm concerned!
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
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