Mr. Fingers – Washing Machine / Can You Feel It

A game changing EP in the house scene. It's a classic that should be in anyone's collection

This is the first record but, in particular, "Can You Feel It", which started the dance genre, "House Music". "Can You Feel It" which in 1987 will be integrated with the voice of M.L.King, will be and will always remain the emblem of House Music. I listened to "Can You Feel It" for the first time in Acropolis and Opera discos, in Rome, in 1988. Unforgettable times. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS THE HOUSE MUSIC - Questo è il primo disco ma, in particolare "Can You Feel It", che diede inizio al genere dance, "House Music". "Can You Feel It" che nel 1987 sarà integrata con la voce di M.L.King sarà e rimarrà per sempre l'emblema della Musica House. Ascoltai "Can You Feel It" la prima volta nelle discoteche Acropolis e Opera a Roma, nel 1988. Tempi indimenticabili. SIGNORE E SIGNORI QUESTA E' L'HOUSE MUSIC.

I’m very pleased to own this but does anyone else find the cymbals on Can You Feel It are mixed too high? I own the song on wax in several versions but sadly (at least on my stereo) it doesn’t sound quite right for this reason. Anyone else have this?

Just wanted to express my love for this ep but when it comes to 'Can You Feel It', man, this tune has enhanced my life more than any other piece of music I can think of and for that I have to thank you Larry.

Yes Larry, 30 years later and I can still feel it...Massive thank you!

Heard it first time, loved it! I only have it on the Chicago Trax sampler

How the legend of Can You Feel It started? Larry Heard's words from an interview done for Electronic Standards in 2011 bring some light: "I had recorded "Washing Machine" and "Mystery of Love" in 1984, and some friends of mine heard it. They seemed to like it, and little by little it was being mentioned without my really knowing. A friend who lived a couple of blocks over mentioned it to a friend of his who was a DJ by the name of Tony Harris. He kind of connected the two of us and I gave him a cassette w/ copy of the songs. From there, they got to other guys like Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles etc., who he came in contact with since he was actively DJ'ing. That's pretty much where it started: individuals dubbing copies of cassettes and starting to play them during their sets."

This really is one of the most important records in the history of 20th century music.

1986 too - Damn! The same year Europe released The Final Countdown and Berlin had a hit with Take My Breath Away from the soundtrack to Top Gun.

The production still stands up today - it still sounds fresh and solidly produced. A tune you can still play as well as reminisce about.

"In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove.

And from this groove came the groove of all grooves.

And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared,

"Let there be HOUSE!"

and house music was born.

"I am, you see,

I am

the creator, and this is my house!

And, in my house there is ONLY house music.

But, I am not so selfish because once you enter my house it then becomes OUR house and OUR house music!"

And, you see, no one man owns house because house music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.

You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really unless you're deep into the vibe of house.

House is an uncontrollable desire to jack your body.

And, as I told you before, this is our house and our house music.

And in every house, you understand, there is a keeper.

And, in this house, the keeper is Jack.

Now some of you who might wonder,

"Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?"

Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!

Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.

Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.

Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.

Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers together under one house.

You may be black, you may be white; you may be Jew or Gentile. It don't make a difference in OUR House.

And this is fresh."

'In the begging there was Jack'

The 1988 version had a Jackson 5 'can U Feel It?' sample and the infamous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEo3v3_7ekk

Just an absolutely seminal track, really, this is just sublime and does things to me ;-)