Listen to an exclusive Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers set from J.A.W Family in Paris, 2005

Looking back on a highlight of JAW Family's 20 years so far.

Ahead of their Family Reunion festival in Berlin this June, the JAW Family crew have taken the opportunity to dig into the archives to present a special recording. It doesn't get much more special than this - starting at 7PM on May 7th, and running continuously for 24 hours, we will share a 2.5 hour mix of Larry Heard (AKA Mr Fingers) playing at J.A.W's InnerCity event in Paris in October 2005. Aired for the very first time, the recording captures the deep house innovator in fine form during his first ever visit to France. Beginning with afrobeat, the recording moves seamlessly through funk and disco cuts, 80s electro hip-hop classic "Set It Off" by Strafe, Joey Beltram's acid techno gamechanger "Energy Flash" and, of course, plenty of lush, jazzy house. Masterclass.

20 years on from that night in Paris and the J.A.W crew are still platforming the very best in soulful live and electronic music, remaining independent all the way. From June 26 to 28, they're inviting the likes of Theo Parrish, Musclecars, Suze Ijó, Floating Points, Cleo Reed, Dumama with Zeitgeist & Ábàse, Tikiman, Moe., Mark Ernestus and many more to Berlin. Tickets are available for JAW Family Reunion here. Listen to the mix live on Refuge Worldwide from 7PM on May 7th, looping for the following 24 hours, and read a short interview with Larry about the night below.

• Do you remember your first encounter with the JAW Family, back in 2005?

Of course I do. I was so excited, first, to lay my eyes on Paris, in Paris and just see things. It's an adventure to visit places and it's like being a kid when you see things you haven't before. You're amazed just looking at cool cars in traffic on the way from the airport to the city. Things that are ordinary make you notice how some things are the same everywhere. The guys, Thomas, Edouard and Julien felt like people you already knew because they were so welcoming and genuinely nice guys.

• Is it true that you had never played in France before your gig with the JAW Family? As one of the true pioneers of House music, can you explain why this was the case? 

Yes, it was my first visit. I can't explain why this was the case. Sometimes it can be as simple as no one has asked. The JAW guys asked and it worked out.

• The JAW Family was relatively new to the scene back then. What made you feel they were the right promoters for your French debut?

I didn't know anything about the French scene or any promoters, so it was another kind of adventure to go and experience it, and meet some people from the scene. As new as they were at the time, they still knew more about the scene and Paris itself than I did.

• How was the night itself? Could you tell us a bit about your mix, the records you played that night, and the atmosphere in the venue (Le Triptyque)?

I don't tend to remember things in a photographic way and tend to not remember what I played 10 minutes ago, so there's no way, other than audio and video recordings, which fortunately in this case, were made and pictures that were taken courtesy of the J.A.W extended crew. I play music by "feel" because I like the challenge of doing that, plus, you don't know what venues and crowds will be like ahead of time, so any exact planning or remembering can't really be done without some external help. While it was going on, things felt right. I heard Quincy Jones say in an interview that "when it feels right, it is right" when it comes to music, and that thinking has worked well for me.

• There are rumors that you even played your classic track "Missing You" at the end of the night and sang along—is that true?

I don't remember that part. So many things happen on these adventures that it's impossible to remember every detail, but it's feasible that it happened. Again, going by feel and not a plan. A plan is easier to recall because you think about it beforehand.

• The JAW Family is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a three-day event. Any familiar faces or particular acts you would check if you were attending? 

I'd be interested in checking out the ones I already know, like Tikiman or Theo Parrish, and also interested in seeing what the others are doing.

• Do you have a special message you'd like to share to the JAW Family members for their 20th anniversary?

Just to say Congratulations to the crew, the JAW Extended Family and Thanks to Thomas & Edouard's mom for inviting me into her home on that trip. Getting fed & taken care of by a French Mom was a special.