The System

Few acts of the early 1980s sit so comfortably between boardroom polish and the dance floor as The System, a New York duo of vocalist-guitarist Mic Murphy and session keyboardist David Frank. They called their sound "emotio-electro", a phrase that suits its hi-tech, synthesiser-driven arrangements paired with passionate singing and sensitive lyrics. Their partnership began in the orbit of soul-funk band Kleeer, where Frank toured as keyboardist and Murphy managed the road, and Frank had no idea his colleague could sing.

Their first breakthrough was "It's Passion", a track Frank began as a session meant for Madonna, who left over creative differences before he invited Murphy to sing. Mirage/Atlantic signed the pair on the back of it, and their 1983 album Sweat carried "You Are in My System", a number-ten R&B hit. The 1987 album Don't Disturb This Groove gave them their biggest success, a No. 1 R&B single with the title track and a No. 4 placing on the Hot 100. In 1989 they released their fifth and final album, Rhythm & Romance. The duo reunited for ESP in 2000 and unveiled new singles in 2012.