Customer Reviews

ESP

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to admit I was a little throwed off and shocked by this CD when I found out it was not the same style of music we have come to know and love from the System which is the 80's funky, uptempo, dancebeats that made them famous. So if your expecting that, you won't find it here, but probably by the "You Are In My System" remix. Other than that, this Cd is straight up late 90's Smooth R&B. The songs and Mic Murphy's voice are still soulful and tight as ever. To my surprise they pulled this cd off, which many artist's aren't able to do whenever they take a long break only to come back and switch up to mainstream styles of music. Mic has not lost his touch and by this Cd, The System proves that no matter the decade, they can adapt and still make great songs and beats. And that is a sign of a truly talented artist. When I heard this CD, it was so good, that I wasn't even mad at them for switching up their style. This CD deserves a five.

The System could throw it down back in the day and I was expecting nothing but the best on "ESP." However, after listening to it I was a little disappointed. The songs on "ESP" are pretty good but they are slow tempo R&B and often become boring to listen to at times. The remake of "You Are In My System" sounds okay, but I don't see why it was necessary to remake it at all. Unlike the original, the new version doesn't allow you to throw it down on the dance floor and doesn't have that zest. It actually made me dislike The System's so-called new style a little bit. Overall, Mic Murphy's vocals are still on point and the CD is good despite the lack of up-tempo dance songs. Hopefully, the next CD The System ever puts out will have dance songs similar to the energetic music they put out in the 1980s.

What happened to staying true to your origins? I was a big fan of The System in the late 80s. I just found a CD importer in Japan that had back copies of The Pleasure Seekers CD (very excellent disc by the way).

My problem is that they have changed directions from their R&B/Pop/Dance origins to a very funky sound, which I guess is to find a new fan base (however, old fans will find it hard to listen to).

I don't have a problem with funk, I just did not expect that from them.

Sure is hard to find info about them on the internet? They need a Fan Site.

I hope the next one is more like (DDTG).

I thouroughly enjoyed this album the sound is very smooth an unique. I am avery big fan of the System and this album strays away
from their original sound but its still funky. I loved every song on this album, this is an example of a change in style for the good.

I don't own any other System albums, but it has been a long 11-year wait for hardcore System fans, and I think "Electro Soul Pioneers" exceeds all those people's expectations. I was a fan of the '87 hit "Don't Disturb This Groove" ever since I was a little kid (I was only 5 then) and was surprised to see this comeback album, which I happened to catch accidentally at a Sam Goody. The ground-breaking sound that they used in the past is somewhat present here, but their style is more updated. My top 5 are "Y.I.M.S. The Remix", "Tell Me", "Midnight Train", "Supernatural", and "Hole In My Love." Mic Murphy and David Frank probably should get more publicity for this album because "E.S.P." arguably show Mic Murphy and David Frank at their best. And who knows when the "Dynamic Duo" will come out with another comeback album...

Listen up, guys & gals, fellow System fans. We've waited 11 years for this. It's finally here. ESP, the new album by the Science Lab Boys. 14 tracks (incl. a remake of 'you're in my system'); you won't disappointed. I just hope we help push this album's sales so that the band can feel it's relevant, even in today's music atmosphere. Just think how tough the last 11 years have been. Do you wanna go thru that again? I don't. Therefore, I urge all fans to go out and buy this joint, then tell everybody about it. For more fan discussion and plans for pushing this CD, please go to 'imusic.com and search for the System Message board. You'll find all hard core System fans there. But first, exercise you duty, go out and buy ESP. Peace - System4ever.

I dislike soul/r+b. I like this album. Go figure.

Where r+b vocalists sound cornball or phony Mic's vocals never come across that way. I don't know why.

David Frank's drilling is incredibly tight and the two of them enhance one another's sounds. So no matter what they do it's laced with a tight, clean System sound that's so far been their signature since the 80s. They're quite talented. Even if their sound has changed, their Sound hasn't changed. I don't know if you can understand that. It's hard for me to explain.

As for this CD being disappointing because it's chock full of "Love Music"...um, I think the lyrical content of everything they've done to date has been "Love Music", upbeat or otherwise. So I don't see anything new or shocking about this. I'm only floored because they've successfully, in my humble opinion, managed to update their sound without sounding like an old act trying to perform new tricks. They're just talented and true talent doesn't age. It evolves.

Fave track so far is Midnight Train. I sincerely hope they come with a new album. I'm going to try to contact them via email and request it.

The danger of this album is the lag between "Midnight Special" (1989) and this album. With close to 20 years without a notable hit, many expected The System to spark their careers with a desperate attempt to do old stuff in a new era. Do you realize that there have been three Presidents and five Presidential terms since "Don't Disturb This Groove?" Things change... so do styles and technology in music.

If you really listen to this album with an esoteric ear, you will find that there is a modern sound, yet many of their foundational trademarks are still there: strong keys, heavy and decisive rhythms, and lots of sub themes and pockets (all stabilized by submissive yet rhythmic percussions).

Here is a suggestion: If you hate this album because of comparisons to the past, vote for Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton in the next election. For those of you who like the foundational building blocks of The System, yet understand that things inevitably change, buy it now. You won't be disappointed...unless you've been locked in an oxygen chamber for the last 20 years!

I immediately ordered ESP this week (June 15, 2011) after hearing "Supernatural" for the first time ever on EJ Flavors' Old School Wednesday (OSW) podcast.

After having their first album on vinyl in my senior year of high school (1983), I know that the guys still have it lyrically, musically, and expressively with interest seriously!!

You will instantly recognize who has been influenced by The System as well as who should get their next album produced by David and Mic!

Name any song by The System that you ever have loved and you will find the same energy and DNA within this album!

Don't let the short clips of tracks fool you because this album is classic and timeless like instant vintage!

Bought this CD in cassette form when it first came out back in 2000. Loved it then and have more of an appreciation now for the talents of Mic and Frank. They were definitely before their time. Have followed them since the very beginning when "Sweat" was first released. As for "ESP"? I have to say it has more of an R&B flavor than anything they have previously done in my opinion. Not as heavy of a synth flavor as I remember, but then again I ain't as young as I used to be either. The only disappointment for me was that the remake of "You are in my System" was one they could have left off this disc. And I'll just leave it at that. Other than that, great CD from two great musicians. Thanks for all the memories Mic and Frank!