"The founding father of Electronic
R&B"
Growing
up in a Boston suburb, David Frank played classical
music at recitals as a child. In fifth grade, he won a
composing competition for classical piano. In high
school, Frank played in rock bands at dances and won
talent shows and battle of the bands contests. In one
contest, Frank's psychedelic rock band won out over a
soul band. Afterward, the soul band's singer
congratulated Frank's band and expressed an interest
in joining them. From that point, the psychedelic rock
band mixed more R&B and soul elements into their
music, allowing Frank to become acclimated to R&B
and soul.
“Obviously when
people speak about old school, they're not just talking
about old school hip-hop. And obviously, you can't begin to
talk about old school without mentioning old school
R&B. To add to that, you can't mention old school
R&B without bringing up The System. Who wasn't jamming
to their '80s hit, "Don't Disturb This Groove"? Don't
front, you know that was the jam!” – S2S
Magazine
At the
start of the '80s, Frank left Boston for New York to
become an R&B/soul/funk studio musician. But it
wasn't easy to break into the highly competitive field
of studio session work. Not being able to find work
and not knowing anyone who was highly influential,
Frank took a job as accompanist for a Frank Sinatra
imitator. Eventually, the keyboardist found work
playing in bands around New York, affording him the
opportunity to invest in the emerging MIDI music
technology. He bought an Oberheim OBXa keyboard
synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine. Through
these revolutionary synchronized instruments, Frank
created a one-man electronic rhythm section. It's
important to note that during the System's heyday,
Oberheim later released a three-piece MIDI
(synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine) combination
called the System.
“Back in '86 when I
was in elementary I listened to The System on the radio
everyday. Don't Disturb This Groove was a classic song. I
liked the other songs but that particular song really stuck
with me over the years and that song is still my favorite
song that was ever made by any artist. If you don't own
that album I suggest you get it before they stop selling
it. Thanks to The System for the memories.”
- Antoine D.
Tatum "Tony Tatum" (Saginaw , Michigan)
About a year and a half
later, Frank got a break when Atlantic Records soul/funk
band Kleer enlisted him as their tour keyboardist. The
band's road manager, Mic (Mike) Murphy, asked Frank to play
on some sessions he was recording with friends. Up to that
point, Frank didn't know that Murphy could sing. Collecting
on studio time that he had bartered for in exchange for
playing on sessions, Frank started on a track called "It's
Passion" in which a pre-stardom Madonna was slated to do
the vocals, but because of creative differences, she bowed
out. Remembering Murphy, Frank invited him to his loft to
work on the track. Murphy revamped the lyrics and melody
and the two went into the studio, recorded the song in one
day, and stayed up all night mixing the record. After their
overnight session, Murphy took the master tape to an
engineer friend who transferred the tape onto a 12" acetate
record and suggested he take it over to Jerry Greenberg's
Mirage Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic. The next day,
Murphy called to tell Frank that the duo had a record deal;
in two days, Murphy came up with the name the System, and
within three weeks, "It's Passion" was receiving massive
radio airplay in New York.
“The System's Don't
disturb this groove is one song that will bring you and
your sweetheart into the throng's of passion. I remember
this song from the 80's at school dances and parties. It
will definitely turn up the heat.” – Music Fan
The
next single, "You Are in My System" (November 1982),
followed the same pattern by spreading to key markets
around the country. Around Christmas, singer Robert Palmer
contacted Frank about covering the song on his next album;
after discussing the request with Murphy, they agreed to
the cover. A cover battle ensued when Palmer released "You
Are in My System" as a single at the same time as the
original System single, but the System won hands down. In
early 1983, the album The System was released; by this
time, Murphy and Frank were being stopped on the streets of
New York for their autographs. Other tracks from the album
got dancefloor attention ("Sweat" and "I Can't Let Go").
Their next album, Experiment, included the infectious "I
Just Want to Make You Feel Good," the sweet ballad
"Promises" b/w "X-periment," and the stunningly passionate
"I Can't Take Losing You." The Pleasure Seekers was the
duo's 1986 album release. The title track, an adventurous
mix of their trademark synth-funk sound with splashes of
heavy metal, was the LP's first single. Frank and Murphy
performed the song on NBC's hit show Miami Vice. The album
contained "...Groove" precursor "This Is for You," which
was the second single. 1987 was a great year for the
System, giving them their biggest hit. The third single, "I
Don't Run From Danger," was remixed and became an in-demand
post-release 12" collectible.
“I lot of people
remember their music, all you have to do is play "Don't
Disturb This Groove" and they ALL remember it. I play their
stuff all the time to this day. When I was little I swore I
would get the CD when I could. As soon as I turned 18,
Don't Disturb This Groove was the 1st CD I bought. Their
music is very rare and out of print so get them all when
you can. I have 2 more albums to buy and then my collection
will be complete!! The System is classic music that will
never go out of style.” - "cdfiend" (Inglewood,
CA)
The title track of their
album Don't Disturb This Groove went to number one R&B
and number three pop. The tune was also used as the basis
of one of the last tracks done by Tupac Shakur. There are
even Muzak versions of the tune. The next release,
"Nighttime Lover," cracked the pop Top 20. Their fresh
approach put the System in high demand as
producers/songwriters and musicians. They can be heard on
Chaka Khan's cover of Prince's "I Feel For You" and Mtume's
"Juicy Fruit" (both million-sellers). The record was later
used by Notorious B.I.G. for his gold record Juicy. The
list continues with Phil Collins' "Sussudio," Angela
Bofill's "Can't Slow Down," and Pauli Carmen's "Dial My
Number." They contributed to the movie soundtracks for two
Eddie Murphy blockbusters: Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to
America (the title track went Top Ten pop). Even though it
seemed that everyone wanted to work with the System, the
pair decided not to spread themselves too thin and turned
down a lot of offers. They opened their own recording
studio called Science Lab Music.
“If you're looking
for slammin' vocals, adventurous bass lines, and lyrics
that dig deep beyond the surface then you have to check out
"The System." Unlike today when so many producers use
technology to go backwards, these guys actually used
technology to push R&B and Pop music forward. Check out
"Don't Disturb This Groove" and you will find timeless
music by timeless musicians - A groove that can't be
disturbed!” – Music Fan
1989's
Rhythm and Romance ("Midnight Special," "Soul to Soul,"
"Have Mercy") was the duo's last album. Frank has been busy
performing concert dates; he also backed Annie Lennox
during the recording of her Live in Central Park CD and
video (Arista). He's also active doing session work and
production, working with producer Steve Kipner on 98°'s
single "The Hardest Thing," Christina Aguilera's "Genie in
a Bottle," Omar, Dionne Farris, female pop vocal trio Wild
Orchid, Eternal, and Rebbie Jackson.
“An '80s band called
The System had some pretty intense "two" part basslines
played on a synth (David Frank was the
"bassist").” - Jim K