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Larry Heard
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Key Information

Larry Heard (born May 31, 1960)[1] is an American DJ, record producer, and musician[1] who has recorded under various names, most notably Mr. Fingers. He is widely known as a pioneering figure in 1980s house music, and was leader of the influential group Fingers Inc., whose 1988 album Another Side was the first long-form house LP. He is regarded as a progenitor of the deep house subgenre,[2] bridging the gap between the futurism of house and the lush sound of disco.[3][4] His landmark 1986 single "Can You Feel It" would be a major influence on dance music.[5]

Early life

[edit]

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 musical career in 1983, he was the drummer, at the age of 17,[6] in the band Infinity (a jazz fusion cover group that included Adonis). He is sometimes cited as having been a member of the Manhattan Transfer,[1] but Heard has denied this, saying, "[I] filled in for somebody on one show."[7] He also worked for the US government as a benefit authorizer, which enabled him to buy his first pieces of studio equipment.[1]

Musical career

[edit]

As a drummer with live bands, Heard's creativity was suppressed by the nature of his role. According to Heard, “I guess it wasn’t customary for the drummer to have musical ideas…I ended up having to buy my own synthesizer and a drum machine”.[8] Within days of purchasing a Roland synthesizer and TR-909 drum machine in 1984, Heard had recorded three tracks that would become milestones in the deep house genre: "Can You Feel It", "Mystery of Love", and "Washing Machine."[3] Despite initially not having a connection to Chicago's club scene, he eventually met singer and DJ Robert Owens at a party and the two formed the group Fingers Inc. along with Ron Wilson.[3] The group would release the LP Another Side in 1988.[3] Around this time, Heard also began releasing solo singles as Mr. Fingers on Trax Records and DJ International.[3] At the end of the decade, Trax released Ammnesia (1989), which compiled Heard's early tracks; it was released without Heard's permission.[3] Heard reissued the album in 2022 on his own Alleviated label, marking its first authorized release.[9] In 1989, Heard contributed to the debut album by producer Lil' Louis.

In the early 1990s, he recorded with Harry Dennis as the It[1] before setting out on his own, signing with MCA Records as a solo act in 1991 and releasing his first official Mr. Fingers album Introduction in 1992 to international success.[3] After the label interfered with his Mr. Fingers follow-up, he released the less dance-oriented album Sceneries Not Songs, Vol. 1 in 1995 under his given name.[3] He continued to record intermittently in the following years, and released the Mr. Fingers album Cerebral Hemispheres in 2018.[10] Much of Heard's music has been released and re-released under different names, including Loosefingers, Fingers, House Factors, and Trio Zero.

Discography

[edit]
See also: Fingers Inc. discography

as Mr. Fingers

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • Ammnesia (1989)
  • Introduction (1992)
  • Back to Love (1994)
  • Cerebral Hemispheres (2018)
  • Around the Sun, Pt.1 (2022)
  • Around the Sun, Pt.2 (2023)

Compilations

[edit]
  • Classic Fingers (1995)

EPs

[edit]
  • 6 Tack E.P. (1988)
  • Mr. Fingers 2 (1991)

Singles

[edit]
  • "Mystery of Love" (1985)
  • "Washing Machine" (1986)
  • "Slam Dance" (1987)
  • "What About This Love" (1989)
  • "Ammnesia" (1989)
  • "Love and Juice" (1989)
  • "Closer" (1992)
  • "On My Way" (1992)
  • "On a Corner Called Jazz" (1992)
  • "Dead End Alley" (1992)
  • "I Need You" (1994)

as Larry Heard

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • Sceneries Not Songs Volume One (1994)
  • Sceneries Not Songs Volume Tu (1995)
  • Alien (1996)
  • Dance 2000 (1997)
  • Dance 2000 Part 2 (1998)
  • Genesis (1999)
  • Love's Arrival (2001)
  • Where Life Begins (2003)
  • Loose Fingers: Soundtrack from the Duality Double-Play (2005)

EPs

[edit]
  • The Calm & Chaos EP (1997)
  • Dance 2000: The Glasgow Connection (1998)
  • Dance 2000: The Chicago Connection (1999)
  • 25 Years from Alpha (2008)
  • Distance Revisited EP (2012)

Singles

[edit]
  • "Black Oceans" (1994)
  • "Missing You" (2000)
  • "Direct Drive" / "Time Machine" (2001)
  • "Another Night (Re-Edit)" (2001)
  • "Praise" (2002)
  • "Space Jungle" (2003)
  • "Reminisce" (2003)
  • "Evening Dance" (2003)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Larry Heard

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Larry Heard (born May 31, 1960) is an American musician, DJ, and record producer best known by his alias Mr. Fingers for pioneering music as a key figure in 's 1980s electronic scene. Raised in , Heard grew up in a musical family where his parents played and sang, and his four brothers were instrumentalists, exposing him to influences like , , , , , , and rock from an early age. He began playing at age 17 in 1977 and transitioned to synthesizers around 1984, using equipment such as the , Jupiter-6, and Juno-2 to develop his signature organic, free-flowing songwriting style. By the mid-1980s, he emerged as a trailblazer in , blending smooth production with soulful vocals and extended instrumental passages that defined the subgenre. Heard's breakthrough came with the 1985 track "Can You Feel It" under the Mr. Fingers moniker, a seminal anthem that showcased his emotive basslines and atmospheric soundscapes, influencing countless producers in electronic music. In 1986, he co-founded the influential group Fingers Inc. with vocalist Robert Owens, releasing hits like "Mystery of Love," which peaked at #10 on the Dance chart and became a cornerstone of vocal . The group's 1988 album Another Side further solidified their legacy, while Heard also produced solo works and collaborations, including Robert Owens' "Bring Down the Walls" and tracks under aliases like Loosefingers. In the 1990s, Heard relocated from to , for a quieter life, continuing to release music and mentor emerging artists, including his son Dexter, who founded Alleviated Records to reissue and distribute Heard's catalog. His enduring impact is evident in his role as the "godfather of ," with classics that bridged house, nu-soul, and jazz-house, and ongoing activity into the 2020s through performances, remixes, and new productions.

Early Life

Childhood and Upbringing

Larry Heard was born on May 31, 1960, in , . He grew up in Chatham, a working-class neighborhood on 's South Side, where his family navigated the economic challenges typical of the area's post-war migration from the South. His parents separated by the late 1970s, which contributed to a household environment that emphasized financial responsibility from a young age, instilling in Heard a strong and discipline. During the 1960s and 1970s, Heard's upbringing exposed him to the vibrant local culture of Chicago's South Side, including community events and the pervasive influence of nearby clubs that defined the neighborhood's social fabric. To support his family, he took early non-musical jobs such as working at and a doughnut shop while still young. In the late 1970s, he secured a stable position as a benefit authorizer for the , which provided financial stability during his early adulthood.

Initial Musical Influences

Growing up in , Larry Heard was exposed to a rich array of musical genres through his family and local radio broadcasts, which profoundly shaped his early artistic development. His parents, both musically inclined, played and sang at home, providing him with toy instruments like bongos, guitars, and drums to encourage creative exploration from a young age. He had four brothers who played instruments such as guitars from a young age, further immersing the family in music. This domestic environment, combined with AM radio in the late and that aired , , , , and , introduced him to diverse sounds that blended organic and rhythmic elements. Specific artists such as , , , , and emerged as key influences, drawn from late-night radio sessions and record store visits, alongside electronic pioneers like Kraftwerk and . At age 17 in 1977, Heard began playing drums, initially in the cover band , which also featured future house producer on bass. Over the next seven years, he performed in various non-professional local bands spanning R&B, , art-rock, and ensembles, gaining practical experience in Chicago's vibrant live music circuit during the late and early . This period coincided with the waning era and the rise of emerging electronic sounds, as heard on FM stations like WBMX's mix shows featuring full album sides and innovative blends, though itself had not yet crystallized. Frustrated by the constraints of live band dynamics and drumming, Heard grew interested in keyboards, eventually teaching himself through experimentation. In 1984, marking a pivotal shift, Heard purchased his first —a —and —a —enabling solo setups that allowed greater creative control. These tools facilitated his initial forays into composing and producing tracks in a modest home environment, building on the foundational skills from his band days and the ambient influences of Chicago's evolving club and radio scenes, where disco's four-on-the-floor rhythms persisted amid electro imports. This self-directed phase emphasized intuitive experimentation over formal training, laying the groundwork for his distinctive melodic approach.

Professional Career

Formation of Fingers Inc.

In 1985, Larry Heard met vocalist Robert Owens, who lived across the street from him in , leading to a spontaneous collaboration that marked the beginning of their creative partnership. Owens frequently visited Heard's home to listen to tracks and contribute vocals on the spot, fostering an improvisational approach rooted in their shared backgrounds in and . This meeting, combined with Heard's growing reputation as a producer under the Mr. Fingers moniker, set the stage for the formation of Fingers Inc. later that year. Fingers Inc. emerged as a blending the raw energy of emerging music with soulful vocals and electronic experimentation, with Heard handling production and Owens providing emotive lyrics and singing. The group officially included vocalist Ron Wilson, completing the core trio, though dynamics were fluid and collaborative, emphasizing live-feel grooves over rigid structures. Additional contributors like vocalist Harri Dennis joined for select tracks, adding layered harmonies and furthering the ensemble's soul-infused sound. Heard's newly founded Alleviated Records, established in 1985, served as an initial outlet for their work, allowing independent control over releases amid the burgeoning scene. The recording process was intimate and unpolished, often taking place in Heard's using keyboards, machines, and basic equipment, capturing spontaneous moments like ambient sounds that enhanced the tracks' organic vibe. Early singles included the instrumental "," released in 1985 on Alleviated Records, which showcased Heard's signature deep, atmospheric basslines. The following year, the vocal version of "" appeared on DJ International Records, followed by "Bring Down the Walls" on Alleviated, a track born from an impromptu session where Owens' lyrics addressed social unity, complete with unintended doorbell rings integrated as percussion. These releases on Alleviated and affiliated labels like DJ International propelled Fingers Inc. into the spotlight, establishing the group as pioneers of .

Breakthrough as Mr. Fingers

In 1985, Larry Heard adopted the Mr. Fingers pseudonym to experiment with electronic music production while maintaining separation from his earlier work as a and fusion drummer, drawing inspiration from his loose keyboard playing style nicknamed by his brother and influences like George Clinton's alias usage. This alias allowed stylistic freedom in crafting atmospheric, chord-driven tracks amid Chicago's burgeoning scene, where he could release music anonymously on labels like without tying it directly to his personal identity. Heard's breakthrough came with the 1986 single "Can You Feel It," recorded using basic cassette decks to layer emotive synth chords and basslines, which became a cornerstone of deep house by introducing lush, introspective elements to the genre's raw energy. Released on Trax Records, the track gained immediate underground traction through DJ support at Chicago clubs before its official pressing, helping define deep house's melodic depth and emotional resonance. Although it did not chart significantly upon initial release due to the indie label's reach, later reissues propelled it to No. 37 on the UK Singles Chart in 1995, underscoring its enduring influence. The 1989 debut album Ammnesia under the Mr. Fingers moniker further solidified his impact, compiling earlier singles like "Can You Feel It" and "Washing Machine" alongside new tracks such as "Slam Dance," a hypnotic, acid-tinged groove that blended tough rhythms with cosmic synths to exemplify deep house's evolution. Issued on Jack Trax, the album's immersive soundscapes—featuring extended instrumental builds and warm atmospherics—shifted house music toward a more experiential, jazz-infused form, influencing producers seeking emotional depth over purely functional beats. During the mid-1980s house explosion, Heard occasionally DJed and performed in Chicago venues, observing crowd responses at spots like the Warehouse and Music Box to refine his productions, though he prioritized studio work over regular sets. His interactions with the broader scene, particularly with DJ Frankie Knuckles, were pivotal; Knuckles spun early cassette demos of Heard's tracks at the Warehouse, amplifying their reach and fostering collaborations that bridged production and club play. This exchange helped integrate Mr. Fingers' sound into Chicago's core house ecosystem, where Knuckles' residency inspired Heard's focus on mood-driven music.

Solo Work as Larry Heard

In the early 1990s, Larry Heard transitioned from his Mr. Fingers pseudonym, which had defined his dancefloor-oriented house music, to releasing material under his real name for more introspective and ambient-leaning works that prioritized emotional depth over club energy. This shift allowed him to explore personal themes through slower tempos and atmospheric soundscapes, marking a departure from the high-energy tracks of his earlier career. Heard's first album under his own name, Sceneries Not Songs Volume One (1994), released on Black Market International, exemplified this evolution by blending with ambient and elements across tracks like "Dolphin Dream" and "Midnight Movement," creating immersive, non-vocal soundscapes that evoked natural and serene environments. The follow-up, Sceneries Not Songs Volume Two (1995), continued this direction with extended, improvisational pieces that further emphasized synthesis and subtle rhythms. In 1996, he delved into science-fiction-inspired territory with Alien, his third full-length as Larry Heard, featuring slowed-down grooves and chill breakbeats on tracks such as "Alien" and "Journey to Enlightment," which incorporated cosmic motifs and experimental textures to craft a sense of otherworldly exploration. Heard's relocation to , in 1997 influenced the thematic introspection of his subsequent releases, infusing his music with a sense of Southern tranquility and personal reflection amid the city's soulful heritage. This period saw him deepen his forays into and jazz-house, as evident in mid-2000s works like Where Life Begins (2003), issued on Track Mode, where tracks such as "Missing You" and "Dance of Life" combined lush instrumentation with subtle house pulses to convey themes of renewal and emotional journeying. These albums highlighted Heard's commitment to ambient experimentation, solidifying his role in expanding house music's boundaries beyond the dancefloor.

Recent Releases and Activities

In the 2010s, Larry Heard revitalized his performing career with notable live appearances, including a set at the Dekmantel Festival in in 2017, where he performed as Mr. Fingers alongside collaborator Mr. White, delivering a mix of classic tracks like "Can You Feel It." This performance marked a significant return to the stage, emphasizing his enduring connection to house music's roots. He has continued touring sporadically into the 2020s, with scheduled dates in 2025, such as at Crosstown Concourse in Memphis. Heard's creative resurgence culminated in 2018 with the release of Cerebral Hemispheres under the Mr. Fingers moniker on his Alleviated Records imprint, his first full-length album of new material as Mr. Fingers in nearly 25 years. The album showcased a broad palette of electronic styles, from to ambient explorations, reflecting his evolution while honoring his foundational sound. In interviews around this period, Heard reflected on the longevity of his career, attributing it to a consistent focus on emotional depth in production rather than chasing trends. Building on this momentum, 2022 saw the official reissue of his seminal 1989 album Ammnesia (originally released as Amnesia), remastered and expanded to three vinyl LPs for the first time in 32 years via Alleviated Records. That same year, he released Around the Sun, Pt. 1, a laid-back collection blending deep house grooves with downtempo elements, described by Heard as suited for both intimate sessions and late-night energy. The following year, in 2023, he completed the project with Around the Sun, Pt. 2, further exploring cosmic and introspective themes through analog synths and rhythmic subtlety. Heard has maintained active involvement with Alleviated Records, his label established in 1985, overseeing reissues of archival material such as Vault Sessions 2 in 2023, which compiles rare and unreleased tracks from his catalog. Post-2020, this work has included curatorial efforts like compilations and remixes, sustaining his influence in electronic music without major new collaborative albums, though he continues to emphasize the label's role in preserving heritage. In a 2024 , he discussed the challenges and rewards of this ongoing , highlighting how it allows him to mentor emerging artists while protecting his legacy.

Musical Style

Genre Innovations

Larry Heard is widely recognized as the pioneer of , a subgenre he helped coin and develop in the mid-1980s by blending the energetic rhythms of with the harmonic richness of , , and ambient elements. His early releases under the Mr. Fingers moniker, such as the 1985 track "," exemplified this fusion, introducing lush chord progressions and atmospheric textures that set apart from the more straightforward, high-energy club tracks of the era. This innovation stemmed from Heard's background in and funk bands, where he drew on influences like to infuse electronic music with organic, emotive qualities. In contrast to acid house, which emphasized the squelching, synthetic sounds of the for a raw and hypnotic intensity, or disco house's upbeat, sample-heavy grooves, deep house under Heard's guidance prioritized emotional depth through intricate chord progressions, soulful melodies, and slower tempos typically ranging from 110 to 125 BPM. These elements created a more introspective sound, allowing tracks to evoke rather than relentless dancefloor propulsion. Heard's approach marked a pivotal transition in , shifting it from purely functional club anthems to melodic forms suitable for both home listening and extended sets, thereby broadening the genre's emotional and artistic scope. The sound of early deep house was profoundly shaped by 1980s technology, particularly Roland drum machines like the TR-808, which provided the genre's signature deep, resonant basslines and crisp percussion patterns. Heard himself utilized the TR-707 alongside synthesizers such as the to craft these foundational rhythms, enabling the subtle and groove that defined the subgenre's warmth and accessibility. Over the subsequent decades, Heard's style evolved from dancefloor-oriented in the and 1990s—seen in works like Fingers Inc.'s 1988 album Another Side—to more experimental explorations in the and beyond, incorporating ambient and jazz-fusion influences while retaining the core emotional intimacy. This progression reflected his ongoing commitment to pushing toward greater sonic and conceptual depth, continuing into the 2020s as seen in his 2024 curation of ambient and tracks on the Rebirth 10 compilation.

Production Techniques

Larry Heard's production techniques are characterized by a sophisticated integration of jazz-derived elements, often manifested through chord stabs, lush pads, and piano riffs that evoke emotional depth and melodic fluidity. Drawing from his background in and prog rock, Heard frequently employs complex chord progressions featuring major and minor 7th chords to create a soulful, introspective atmosphere in his tracks, as exemplified in his use of electronic pianos reminiscent of the Fender Rhodes for riffing lines that blend seamlessly with synthetic textures. These elements prioritize richness over , allowing pads to swell gently behind stabbing chords for a layered, immersive sound that distinguishes his work from more aggressive electronic styles. In constructing grooves, Heard layers basslines with subtle percussion to achieve a propulsive yet non-aggressive , emphasizing balance and headroom to maintain dynamic control without heavy compression. His bass elements, often generated via analog synthesizers, interlock with understated patterns—such as those from TR-series units—to foster a hypnotic flow that supports the forefront rather than dominating it. This approach reflects his drumming background, where percussion serves to enhance rather than overpower the melodic content. Heard's home studio setup has evolved significantly since the , beginning with rudimentary hardware like drum machines (e.g., TR-707), synthesizers such as the Jupiter-6 and Juno-6, and dual cassette decks for multitracking spontaneous recordings. By the 1990s, his rig incorporated keyboards like the and for live performance and sound design, prioritizing hands-on manipulation over programmed sequences. In more recent years, he has transitioned to workstations (DAWs) for comprehensive production at home, enabling flexible integration of ambient and live elements while retaining his analog-rooted workflow. Throughout his career, Heard has emphasized live , particularly keyboards and synthesizers played in real-time, over purely synthetic or pre-programmed sounds to infuse authenticity and immediacy into his compositions. He avoids sampling in favor of original creations, relying on arpeggiators, knob tweaks, and direct synthesis to generate unique timbres and textures. This method underscores his commitment to intuitive, feeling-driven production rather than technical contrivance.

Legacy and Influence

Impact on House Music

Larry Heard's pioneering work as Mr. Fingers in the mid-1980s is widely credited with establishing as a distinct subgenre of , characterized by its lush, atmospheric soundscapes and emotional depth that contrasted with the raw energy of earlier tracks. Tracks such as "Can You Feel It" (1986) and "" (1986) introduced melodic basslines, subtle chord progressions, and a sense of , laying the groundwork for deep house's evolution and influencing subsequent genres including , future , and modern . His debut album Ammnesia () further expanded 's boundaries, incorporating -inflected elements and headphone-friendly textures that encouraged listening beyond the club environment. Heard's tracks have had a profound through sampling in hip-hop and pop, amplifying music's reach into mainstream genres. For instance, "Mystery of Love" (1985), a collaboration with Robert Owens under Fingers Inc., was sampled by in his 2016 single "Fade," bridging underground with contemporary hip-hop and underscoring Heard's enduring sonic legacy. Similarly, "Can You Feel It" has been sampled in over 37 songs across hip-hop, electronic, and pop contexts, including works by artists like Diamond Jackson and S.S.R., demonstrating how Heard's motifs of and groove permeated broader musical landscapes. In the Chicago house scene, Heard played a mentorship role through Fingers Inc., co-founded in 1985 with vocalist Robert Owens and drummer Ron Wilson, fostering collaborations that emphasized vocal soulfulness and communal spirit among emerging producers. His records, distributed globally via starting in 1986, facilitated house music's spread to in the late 1980s, where imports of tracks like "Can You Feel It" inspired movement and early rave culture in the UK. This transatlantic exchange helped propel house's international adoption, with Heard's influence evident in artists such as , whose soulful deep house productions echo Heard's melodic approach, and (Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez), who drew from his fusion of and house rhythms in their garage-house hybrids. Heard's contributions profoundly shaped house music's emotional and spiritual dimensions, infusing the genre with bittersweet melancholy and a meditative quality that invited listeners to connect on a personal level. Songs like "Stars" and "Beyond the Clouds" from Ammnesia evoke a sense of transcendence, prioritizing feeling over relentless propulsion and inspiring contemporary producers to explore vulnerability and in their work. This spiritual undercurrent, rooted in Heard's background, transformed house from a purely functional sound into a vehicle for deeper .

Recognition and Tributes

Larry Heard has earned the moniker "Godfather of Deep House" across numerous music publications and documentaries, acknowledging his pioneering role in shaping the genre's emotive, soul-infused sound during the 1980s scene. His contributions are prominently featured in historical accounts of , including the 2018 How Larry Heard Made House Music Deep, which examines his innovative production techniques and lasting impact on . Additionally, he delivered insightful lectures at the Music Academy in 2018 and 2019, sharing stories of his early tracks and collaborations that defined 's spiritual depth. Heard has reflected on his decades-long career in key interviews, such as a 2019 discussion where he addressed his forward-thinking approach to music creation and avoidance of nostalgia-driven projects. In a 2024 Mixmag feature, he explored themes of musicianship, industry challenges, and the enduring appeal of his work, underscoring his commitment to artistic evolution. In 2022, Heard and collaborator Robert Owens successfully settled a lawsuit against , regaining ownership of their early recordings and ensuring the proper legacy of their foundational contributions. Prestigious festival appearances have honored his legacy, including a live set at Glastonbury's Block9 IICON stage in 2019, where he performed alongside electronic luminaries in a massive industrial installation celebrating 's roots. He has also been a recurring figure at Dekmantel Festival, with notable performances in 2017 that highlighted his vocal and production prowess on classics like "Can You Feel It." While Heard has not received major mainstream awards such as Grammys, his critical acclaim within electronic music communities remains profound, evidenced by consistent invitations to lecture series, festival lineups, and retrospective features that position him as a foundational architect of the .

Discography

Releases as Mr. Fingers

Under the Mr. Fingers alias, Larry Heard released a series of influential works spanning from the mid-1980s onward, primarily through independent labels specializing in electronic music. These outputs emphasize and styles, with initial releases on vinyl via Chicago's and London's Jack Trax, later shifting to major labels like for broader distribution in vinyl and CD formats, and more recently to Heard's own Alleviated Records for digital and vinyl editions. Key releases include foundational singles and EPs that helped define early sound, followed by full-length albums that expanded on ambient and rhythmic elements.

Studio Albums

The studio discography begins with the seminal Ammnesia in 1989, a double vinyl LP on Jack Trax that compiled early tracks and introduced signature grooves with acid influences.
TitleYearLabelFormats
Ammnesia1989Jack Trax2x12" vinyl
Introduction199212" vinyl, CD
Cerebral Hemispheres2018Alleviated Records3x12" vinyl, digital
Around the Sun, Pt. 12022Alleviated Records2x12" vinyl, digital
Around the Sun, Pt. 22023Alleviated Records2x12" vinyl, digital
Introduction (1992) marked a shift toward smoother, R&B-infused on , featuring tracks like "Closer," which peaked at #57 on the UK Singles Chart. Cerebral Hemispheres (2018) was Heard's first full-length Mr. Fingers in over two decades, released on Alleviated Records as a sprawling 18-track exploration of cosmic and urban themes across triple vinyl and digital platforms. The series followed, with Pt. 1 (2022) and Pt. 2 (2023) issued on Alleviated Records in double vinyl and digital formats, blending ambient with rhythms to reflect mature production evolution. (Note: Specific master for Pt. 2 aligns with label catalog.)

Key EPs and Singles

Early breakthroughs came via 12" vinyl singles and EPs on Trax and Alleviated Records, capturing the raw energy of Chicago's club scene. "Can You Feel It," released in 1986 on Trax Records as a 12" single (paired with "Washing Machine"), became a cornerstone of house music with its hypnotic bassline and became a staple in DJ sets, later reissued in digital formats. The "Slam Dance" EP, issued in 1987 on Alleviated Records as a 12" vinyl, featured four tracks including the title cut and "Stars," emphasizing upbeat, dancefloor-oriented acid house; it was reissued in 2010 on the same label in vinyl format. "The Juice," a key track from the 1989 Ammnesia on Jack Trax, showcased pulsating rhythms and was included in subsequent compilations, highlighting Heard's knack for infectious, groove-driven .

Compilations and Reissues

Compilations under Mr. Fingers are limited, with Introduction (1992) serving as a de facto collection of that era's singles on in CD format. The most notable reissues include Ammnesia (2022 and 2024), remastered and expanded to a 3x12" vinyl triple pack on Alleviated Records, making the original tracks available in high-fidelity digital alongside vinyl for renewed accessibility. A further reissue of Ammnesia appeared in 2024 on Alleviated Records as a limited LP edition. Additionally, Rebirth 10, a compilation selected by Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers, was released in 2024 on Rebirth Recordings as a 2xLP featuring various artists' tracks. No major chart positions are associated with the compilations themselves, though they preserve works like "Can You Feel It," which influenced global dance charts indirectly through remixes.

Releases as Larry Heard

Larry Heard's releases under his own name often explored ambient, deep house, and experimental electronic territories, diverging from the stricter house sound associated with his pseudonyms. These works, primarily from the mid-1990s onward, were issued on independent labels and emphasized atmospheric soundscapes and introspective compositions. His debut full-length under the name, Sceneries Not Songs, Volume One (1994), was released on Black Market International and featured nine tracks blending jazz-inflected deep house with ambient elements, marking a shift toward more contemplative production. This was followed by Sceneries Not Songs - Volume Tu (1995) on MIA Records, a continuation that delved deeper into ethereal, non-vocal sound design across eight pieces. The single "Missing You" (1994), also on Black Market International, served as a poignant EP with instrumental deep house tracks evoking emotional depth through subtle piano and synth layers. Similarly, the EP Black Oceans (1994, Black Market International) offered two extended tracks of immersive, oceanic-themed ambient house, noted for its lush, reverb-heavy textures. In 1996, Alien appeared on Black Market International, a seven-track album that pushed experimental boundaries with futuristic synth work and minimal rhythms, influencing ambient circles. The EP "Love's Arrival" (initially a 1996 single on Black Market International, later expanded) captured romantic, vibes in its instrumental form. By 1997, Dance 2000 on Distance Records introduced a collaborative edge with Glasgow-based artists, featuring mid-tempo grooves across ten tracks, while The Calm & Chaos EP (1997, Guidance Recordings) balanced serene ambient passages with subtle percussive builds in four pieces. Dance 2000 (Part 2) (1998, Distance) extended this series with additional remixes and originals, emphasizing fusion of and jazz. The single "Dance 2000 - The Glasgow Connection" (1998, ) highlighted cross-cultural production ties. The album Genesis (1999, Mecca Recordings) compiled and newly arranged tracks into an 11-song set of deep house and ambient fusions, including reworks of earlier singles like "Missing You," and stood as a reflective milestone with its cosmic, bass-driven sound. Transitioning to his own Alleviated Records imprint via Track Mode, Love's Arrival (2001) emerged as a full album of soulful deep house, with ten tracks incorporating smooth keys and subtle vocals, released in limited CD and vinyl editions. Where Life Begins (2003, Alleviated Records) followed as a nine-track exploration of life-affirming themes through warm, organic electronica, available in both digital and physical formats with limited pressings. The EP Black Oceans saw a reissue variant in 2003, but its core content remained rooted in the 1994 original. Post-2003, releases under Heard's real name were sparse, focusing on reissues and archival compilations rather than new material, such as the 2016 RA.EX300 mix compilation for Resident Advisor, which curated ambient selections from his catalog in a limited digital edition, and the 2024 Rebirth 10 compilation selected by Larry Heard. No major new studio albums appeared after 2003, though limited-edition remasters of earlier works, like Love's Arrival in 2023 on Alleviated, preserved his ambient legacy. A 2025 repress of "You Rock Me" by Mr White, presented by Larry Heard, was issued on an independent label.

Fingers Inc. Releases

Fingers Inc., the music collective featuring Larry Heard alongside vocalists Robert Owens and Ron Wilson, produced a series of influential singles and EPs in the mid-to-late 1980s, alongside one studio album, primarily released on labels such as Alleviated Records, DJ International Records, and Jack Trax. These outputs emphasized with soulful vocals and intricate production, laying foundational elements for the genre's evolution. The group's releases were initially issued on vinyl formats, reflecting the era's club-oriented distribution, and later saw reissues that preserved their cultural significance. The sole studio from Fingers Inc., Another Side, was released in 1988 on Jack Trax as a double vinyl LP, marking the first full-length of its kind. Featuring 12 tracks, including "Decision," "Bye Bye," and "Never No More Lonely," the blended grooves with emotive vocals from Owens and Wilson, arranged primarily by the group with additional contributions from Heard. It captured the transition from raw to more sophisticated, melodic expressions, influencing subsequent developments. The was reissued in remastered form on and triple vinyl by Alleviated Records in 2015, expanding accessibility while maintaining its original essence. Key singles and EPs further defined Fingers Inc.'s output, starting with "Mystery of Love" in 1986 on DJ International Records as a 12-inch vinyl single. This track, featuring Owens' vocals over Heard's signature basslines, became a cornerstone of and charted in the top ten on the Hot Dance/Disco 12-inch Singles chart. "Bring Down the Walls," released the same year on Alleviated Records and Select Records, addressed themes of unity with its anthemic chorus and dub versions, solidifying the group's vocal style. The "Distant Planet" EP followed in 1987 on Jack Trax, offering ethereal tracks like the title cut and "Music Take Me Up," which explored cosmic, atmospheric elements on limited-edition 12-inch vinyl. "Can You Feel It," the Fingers Inc. vocal adaptation, appeared in 1988 on Jack Trax as a 12-inch single, building on an earlier and peaking at number 78 on the UK Singles Chart with its uplifting, piano-driven arrangement. Compilations and reissues extended the group's legacy beyond initial runs. A 1988 compilation titled Fingers Inc. collected early singles on vinyl, providing a snapshot of their formative work. Subsequent reissues, such as the 2014 P-Vine Records edition of Another Side and various digital/vinyl represses on Alleviated and Trax imprints through the , included remastered audio and bonus mixes to cater to renewed interest in origins. Posthumous collections tied to the group include the 2018 Bring Down the Walls remix project on Creative Time, featuring reworked versions by Heard and collaborators to commemorate social themes from the original track.
Release TypeTitleYearLabelFormat
Single1986DJ International 12" Vinyl
SingleBring Down the Walls1986Alleviated / Select 12" Vinyl
EPDistant Planet1987Jack Trax12" Vinyl
SingleCan You Feel It1988Jack Trax12" Vinyl
AlbumAnother Side1988Jack Trax2xLP Vinyl
CompilationFingers Inc.1988Various (compilation)Vinyl

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