Mystery of Love
by Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard)
Behind the alias "Mr. Fingers" is the American producer and DJ Larry Heard, born in Chicago in 1960. Larry Heard is widely known as a pioneering figure of House music in the '80s and as the leader of the influential group "Fingers Inc" formed with two vocalists Robert Owens and Ron Wilson.
“As a 17-year-old drummer of the group “Infinity,” Larry Heard became frustrated with the limitations of that instrument and decided to acquire a drum machine and synthesizer to record his music.”
He began producing music in 1984. A few days after, he bought his first gear and recorded three tracks that would later be regarded as postulates of house music. One of those tracks was Mystery of Love, besides "Can You Feel It" and "Washing Machine."
Mr. Fingers was inspired a lot by the early Electro and 80's Electro music from the bands like Kraftwerk and Telex. He was also inspired by the works of Giorgio Moroder, and the general Disco scene with a four-on-the-floor beat pattern. Mixed with a fresh approach and thinking outside of the box, he created a new sound that would later be labeled "House" music.
"Mystery of Love" is a funky piece with fantastic beat programming that almost feels like a "live disco drummer." His first synthesizer, a Roland Jupiter-6 was used in this piece. The drum section was programmed and produced with LinnDrum LM1 drum machine, which was the number one choice in studios worldwide.
However, by listening to the hi-hats and the ride in the rhythm section it is possible that Larry Heard used a Roland TR-909, which came out a year before he produced the track.
What TR-808 is for Electro, the TR-909 drum machine is for House music. The snappy, clashy, and pumpy sound became an essential instrument among the House music producers worldwide, as described in "Daft Punk's" title "Revolution 909".
“The repetitive bass line and the Balearic strings make a genuinely magical, uplifting atmosphere that could be listened to a thousand times on repeat without being bored.”
When heard today, "Mystery Of Love" still sounds fresh, and the number of times the record was sampled can clarify that. The most apparent usage of the rhythm section and the bassline from Larry's first works can be heard in the title "Fade" by Kanye West.
"Mystery Of Love" was the first release by Mr. Fingers and an opening release for his label "Alleviated Records." The reissue on one of Chicago's most important House music labels, "DJ International Records," came a year later.
The importance of this record can be seen in the want/buy list of the collectors and the price that the original issue on "Alleviated Records" got sold. The average cost of this record is $300; however, the most expensive copy was sold for more than $700.
This is a truly timeless piece that will inspire and be played forever. With this piece and others that came after "Mystery Of Love," Larry Heard has positioned himself as a House music pioneer. Dive into this one, be inspired by the jam that made the solid ground for the forthcoming House music producers at the beginning of the '90s.