House Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: Larry Heard

The man behind the alias Mr. Fingers is Larry Heard, a pioneering figure in house music. Based in Chicago, Heard is widely regarded as one of the most influential producers of the genre, particularly deep house. His style blends soulful melodies, atmospheric sounds and sumptuous basslines that have helped shape a deeper, more emotional side of house music.

One of his most iconic tracks, "Can You Feel It", released in 1986, is considered a true deep house classic. The track is known for its minimalist synth lines and smooth, atmospheric groove. It was part of the "Washing Machine" EP, which also featured other influential tracks.

Heard's music, particularly under his alias Mr. Fingers, moved house music away from its more upbeat, dance-heavy roots towards a sound that embraced emotion, atmosphere and melody.

Answer: Marshall Jefferson

Marshall Jefferson is a key figure in house music, particularly in the Chicago house scene. He is best known for his groundbreaking 1986 track "Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)", which was the first house song to feature a piano. The track's infectious energy made it a worldwide hit, earning it the title "The House Music Anthem" and securing Jefferson's place as a pioneer of the genre.

Other highlights of his career include the cult classic "Mushrooms" (1997), a deep house track with a trippy spoken word storyline, and "I Got Da Feeling" (1997). Throughout his career, Jefferson has collaborated with notable artists such as Ten City and Screamin' Rachael, further contributing to the evolution of house music.

Answer: Kym Mazelle

Marshall Jefferson worked with Kym Mazelle, a key figure in the evolution of house music, often referred to as the "First Lady of House Music". Her soulful vocals were a perfect match for the deep grooves of Chicago house, and she played an important role in bridging house music with soul and R&B. Their collaboration on "Got To Get You Back" in 1989 was a prime example of this fusion.

Mazelle's influence went beyond the Chicago scene. She gained international recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in the UK, where she worked with Soul II Soul on their hit "Missing You" and continued her solo career with chart-topping tracks such as "Young Hearts Run Free" in 1994. Her collaborations with house producers, including Jefferson, helped shape the sound of early house music, making it accessible to a wider audience and fusing it with more mainstream dance and pop elements.

Answer: Kym Mazelle and Jocelyn Brown

In 1994, Kym Mazelle teamed up with Jocelyn Brown, another powerhouse vocalist in the house music scene, to produce the track "No More Tears". Both artists were known for their strong, soulful voices, and their collaboration brought together two of house music's most celebrated voices, giving the track a rich, vocal-driven sound that made it a standout hit in the mid-90s.

Jocelyn Brown had made a name for herself with hits such as "Somebody Else's Guy" and was widely respected for her gospel-infused vocal style.

Answer: Mark Quashie

Alongside Erick Morillo, the other key figure behind Reel 2 Real's hit "I Like to Move It" was Mark Quashie, better known by his stage name "The Mad Stuntman". Born in Trinidad and Tobago, the Mad Stuntman brought a unique Caribbean flavour to the track with his energetic, ragga-style vocals, which complemented Morillo's infectious beats perfectly.

The pair met while working in the New York music scene and their 1994 track "I Like to Move It" quickly became a worldwide dance anthem. The song's catchy hook and energetic production made it a club staple around the world and it remains a 90s classic, recognised for its influence on the electronic and dance music landscape. Their collaboration not only defined the sound of Reel 2 Real, but also helped launch Erick Morillo's career as a prominent DJ and producer.

Answer: Jody Watley

Jody Watley is an American singer, songwriter and record producer known for her significant contributions to pop, dance and R&B music. She first came to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a member of the group Shalamar. After leaving Shalamar, she enjoyed considerable solo success with hits such as "Looking for a New Love" and "Real Love".

Although Jody Watley did not appear on Masters at Work's "Nuyorican Soul" album, she has collaborated with them on other occasions, such as the track "I'm A Better Woman" released in the late 1990s.

Answer: Dopewax

Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez, one half of the legendary duo Masters at Work (MAW), founded Dopewax Records in the mid-1990s as an outlet to promote his own productions and the music of other emerging artists. Known for spanning house, funk, disco, hip-hop and Latin influences, Dopewax became an important platform for underground house music. Through the label, Kenny 'Dope' has released a wide range of tracks, including many that deviate from the typical MAW sound, allowing him creative freedom.

Dopewax has been instrumental in developing the careers of numerous artists and producers, and its influence extends across multiple genres. With a steady output of soulful, groove-driven releases, the label remains a respected force in both the global house music scene and broader electronic music culture.

Answer: Justin Robertson

Known for his diverse contributions to the electronic music scene, Justin Robertson first came to prominence in the early to mid 90s under the alias Lionrock. His work as Lionrock included tracks such as "Packet of Peace" and "Rude Boy Rock", which helped define the breakbeat and big beat genres popular at the time.

In November 2001, Robertson released a single entitled "The Brightest Thing", which showed his continued development as an artist. His work under his own name has been characterised by a blend of house, techno and electronic elements, reflecting his wide musical interests.

Robertson's influence extends beyond his solo work. He has collaborated with the likes of The Chemical Brothers and remixed tracks for Transglobal Underground, a group known for their fusion of world music and electronic beats. Through these collaborations, Robertson has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of British electronic music.

Answer: Two Puerto Ricans, a Black Man and a Dominican

Two Puerto Ricans, a Black Man and a Dominican is the group behind the track "Do It Properly". The ensemble is notable for its name, which reflects the diverse ethnic backgrounds of its members: Albert Cabrera and Félix Hernández (both Puerto Rican), David DeCosta (Black), and DJ Richie Rivera (Dominican).

The group's music, particularly "Do It Properly", played an important role in the late 1980s dance scene, fusing Latin rhythms with electronic and dance styles. Their ability to combine different musical elements and cultural influences helped set them apart and contributed to their influence on the genre.

Answer: Blaze

Blaze, consisting of Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan, are the duo behind these tracks. Blaze's productions are known for their influence on the evolution of house music and their role in defining the sound of early garage music.

The duo gained recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s for their contributions to the genre with a distinctive sound characterised by deep, soulful house music. Their work often involved innovative use of sampling and arrangements that set trends in the dance music scene.

"Whatcha Gonna Do" (1991) marked a notable entry into the garage genre. "If You Should Need A Friend" (1991) continued their successful approach with its engaging rhythm and production. "Can't Win For Losin'" (1992) further cemented their role as influential figures in the scene.