![]() | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Discogs shows record releases from 2007-2014. Also, Moody Boyz were reported to be appearing at the 2019 Toxteth Day of the Dead (see Welcome to the Dark Ages) so are likely still active.(March 2020) |
The Moody Boys / Moody Boyz | |
---|---|
Origin | UK |
Genres | House, techno, drum and bass, dubstep |
Years active | 1988–present |
Labels | XL Recordings, Guerilla, SSR |
Members | Tony Thorpe |
Past members | Jimmy Cauty [according to some sources; probably a collaborator] |
Website | www.themoodyboyz.com |
The Moody Boys or Moody Boyz are Tony Thorpe's UK-based record production and remix outfit, active since 1988.
The Moody Boys were closely linked with the KLF - and in particular with KLF member Jimmy Cauty - until the KLF's retirement in 1992, but it is not known whether Cauty was ever officially a member of the Moody Boys or merely a close collaborator.
According to AllMusic, "Moody Boyz" is the "nom de plume of producer Tony Thorpe (both solo and with occasional collaborators)". [1]
Beginning in 1988 with the single "Acid Rappin'", the Moody Boys produced dance music that incorporated elements of techno, dub, acid house, hip hop, drum and bass and African music. [1] Their 1991 single "Funky Zulu" is considered a house classic. [1] The Moody Boys' original releases were complemented by duties as the "in-house" remixers of the KLF's hit singles "3 a.m. Eternal", "What Time Is Love?" and "Last Train to Trancentral". [1] In each case, The Moody Boys' mixes were released on separate 12"s to the charting singles, in 1990 and 1991. [2] The KLF co-produced the Moody Boys' "First National Rapper" in 1988 (as "The JAMs") [3] [2] and remixed "What Is Dub?" in 1991. [4] [2] Thorpe is also a credited as an "additional performer" on the KLF's The White Room album. [5]
Vice [6] and DJ Mag [7] claim that Jimmy Cauty was actually a member of the Moody Boys, whereas AllMusic attributes the project to Thorpe and "occasional collaborators". [1] Tracks produced by "Tony Thorpe and Jimmy Cauty" were credited separately to tracks produced by "The Moody Boys" on the 1991 single "Lion Dance", [8] and a 1994 interview with Thorpe and a companion discography state that "Journey into Dubland" was made with Jimmy Cauty, suggesting Cauty was just a collaborator. [9] The Moody Boys recorded a Peel Session in 1991 without Cauty; programming duties were handled by Thorpe and another close associate of the KLF, Nick Coler. [10]
Cauty and his KLF-partner Bill Drummond retired from the music industry in 1992, but Thorpe continued under the revised "Moody Boyz" moniker until 1994, [1] producing in this time what is considered to be the Moody name's best work,[ citation needed ] including another "classic", [1] "Destination Africa", and the album, Product of the Environment. [11] A remixed version, Recycled for the Environment, was also released to acclaim,[ citation needed ] featuring contributions from many remixers, including Andrew Weatherall and Dave Hedger. [12]
AllMusic awarded Product of the Environment 4 stars (out of 5), dubbing the album "a visionary collection of subtly innovative techno and tribal house, with heaps of African and Caribbean influences". [11]
In awarding Recycled for the Environment 4 stars (again, out of 5), AllMusic said, "styles range from lush tribal techno to murky ambient and spacy electro, each offering an inspired extrapolation of Thorpe's originals.". [12]
![]() | This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Non-standard formatting.(January 2020) |
Acid Rappin'/Acid Heaven [13] | |
First National Rapper [3] [2] | |
King Of The Funky Zulus [14] | |
Journey Into Dubland [15] [2] | |
Funky Zulu (You're So Fresh) [16] [2] | |
What Is Dub? [17] | |
What Is Dub? (The KLF And Apollo 440 Remixes) [4] [2] | |
Lion Dance (Remix) [8] [2] | |
Centre Of The World [18] [2] | |
Shango [19] | |
Recycled EP [20] | |
Destination Africa [21] |
What Time Is Love? (Remodelled & Remixed) [2] | |
3 a.m. Eternal (The Moody Boys Selection) [2] | |
Last Train to Trancentral (The KLF Meets The Moody Boys Uptown) [2] | |
The Right Decision [2] |
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