Boyd Jarvis passed away on February 16th. A hero of NYC House. Before the music even had a name. He will be best remembered for Visual`s The Music Got Me. The song he wrote with Jason Smith, and co-produced with long-standing musical partner, Timmy Regisford. Back in 1983. The most “Proto-“ of tracks, it must surely been the “inspiration” for Marshall Jefferson`s own insistence  that you “Move Your Body”. In Boyd`s own words: “We helped to shape this thing called the Underground.”

Visual / The Music Got Me

But Boyd`s keys graced countless releases. Either his own, or in partnership with Regisford, or Paul Simpson, or Joe Claussell. Jamming his joyful, uplifting gospel over their productions.

Boyd Jarvis / Piano Track Dub

Before The Storm / I’ve Got The Music

Valerie Ingram / Are You Faithful?

Simphonia / Can’t Get Over Your Love

T.P.O. / Hiroshi’s Dub

Improvising over remixes for the likes of Colonel Abrams, Steve Arrington, Herbie Hancock, Rick James, Ronny Jordan, Chaka Khan, Femi Kuti, and Dexter Wansel.

Alongside Regisford he had two hands in classics by Ten City and Carl Bean. Listening to them in the week since his passing had me catching my breath. Welling up. Anthems, as they are, for anyone who ever felt disenfranchised, left outside of society. Anyone who ever suffered a broken heart. Which is just about everybody.

Ten City / That’s The Way Love Is

Carl Bean / I Was Born This Way

There`s some nice words and background on Boyd at The Village Voice. 

A special Thank You to Mark Seven.