Griffin
Griffin is the stage name of American multi-instrumentalist and producer Reggie Griffin, born in 1957 in Oklahoma City, OK, and raised in Houston, TX and Indianapolis, IN.
Former A&R Representative at Warner Bros. Records, he was lead singer of R&B group Manchild, secret lead vocalist of West Street Mobb, and later involved in Redd Hott, Reggie Griffin & Technofunk, The Chess Project, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, playing keyboard on "The Message.".
Perhaps best known for his 1984 debut album Hot Fingers, released on Qwest Records. This synth-heavy LP captures early 1980s electro-funk with thick bass lines, bright stabs, breakdance scratching, and nostalgic grooves.
He drew from his experiences working with Sugar Hill Records and R&B icons like Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Chaka Khan, and the O'Jays. These influences shaped the album's tight, inviting sound blending funk and early hip-hop elements.
Hot Fingers (Qwest Records #1-25123) features pure 1984 funk production, earning praise for its vibrant cover art and era-defining style.
Hot Fingers
A2 Move 5:46
A3 I Really Love You 4:30
A4 No Humans Allowed 6:45
B1 Hot Fingers 5:10
B2 Lock It Up & Rock It (The Wild Thing) 5:18
B3 Can't You See 4:51
B4 Shoot Your Shot
Label: Qwest Records – 1-25123
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Electro, Funk, Disco
Reggie Griffin's 1984 album, Hot Fingers, is celebrated as a quintessential, early-electro, synth-heavy funk record, praised for its thick bass, bright synths, breakdance appeal, and tight grooves, blending the experience of Reggie Griffin (from Grandmaster Flash, Chaka Khan) with pure 80s funk energy, creating a warm, "dated in the best way" sound with killer production and standout tracks like the title track and "Shoot Your Shot".
Pure early 80s Funk/Electro, featuring thick basslines, bright synth stabs, breakbeats, and clean production, described as period-perfect and clean, a time-capsule of 1984 funk. Warm, danceable, and instantly nostalgic, perfect for breakdancing. Showcases Reggie Griffin's background with R&B and Sugar Hill artists, bringing a seasoned touch to the electronic sound.
Notable Tracks: "Hot Fingers," "Shoot Your Shot," "Throw Down," "No Humans Allowed," and "Lock It Up & Rock It (The Wild Thing)" are highlighted as highlights.
Fans call it a masterpiece of the era, a "pure 1984 funk" gem. The album's sound is seen as a perfect blend of funk and early electronic production. It's considered essential listening for fans of early electro-funk and vintage 80s grooves.
In essence, Hot Fingers is remembered as a definitive, enjoyable, and well-produced funk record from 1984 that captures the essence of the early electro-funk scene.