| The Moody Boys / Moody Boyz | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | UK |
| Genre: | House, techno, drum and bass, dubstep |
| Years Active: | 1988–present |
| Label: | XL Recordings, Guerilla, SSR |
| Website: | www.themoodyboyz.com |
| Current Members: | Tony Thorpe |
| Past Members: | Jimmy Cauty [according to some sources; probably a collaborator] |
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)".
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. Their 1991 single "Funky Zulu" is considered a house classic. 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". In each case, The Moody Boys' mixes were released on separate 12"s to the charting singles, in 1990 and 1991. The KLF co-produced the Moody Boys' "First National Rapper" in 1988 (as "The JAMs") and remixed "What Is Dub?" in 1991. Thorpe is also a credited as an "additional performer" on the KLF's The White Room album.[1]
Vice[2] and DJ Mag[3] claim that Jimmy Cauty was actually a member of the Moody Boys, whereas AllMusic attributes the project to Thorpe and "occasional collaborators". Tracks produced by "Tony Thorpe and Jimmy Cauty" were credited separately to tracks produced by "The Moody Boys" on the 1991 single "Lion Dance", 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.[4] 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.[5]
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, producing in this time what is considered to be the Moody name's best work, including another "classic", "Destination Africa", and the album, Product of the Environment. A remixed version, Recycled for the Environment, was also released to acclaim, featuring contributions from many remixers, including Andrew Weatherall and Dave Hedger.
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".
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.".
| Acid Rappin'/Acid Heaven[6] Artist: The Moody Boys (Tony Thorpe< | --per credits-->). A-side features Rhyme & Reason. Year: 1988 Label (Catalogue Number): City Beat (CBE 1230) Produced & mixed by the House Addicts | |
|---|---|---|
| First National Rapper[7] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1988 Label (Catalogue Number): City Beat (CBE 1239) Produced by the Moody Boys and the JAMs (KLF) | ||
| King Of The Funky Zulus[8] Artist: Moody Boys/Moody Boyz Year: 1990 Label (Catalogue Number): United We Conquer (Zulu 1) (as Moody Boyz); other catalogue numbers as Moody Boys | ||
| Journey Into Dubland[9] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1990 Label (Catalogue Number): XL Recordings (XLEP-107) Produced, recorded and mixed: Live at Trancentral by Tony Thorpe and Jimmy Cauty | ||
| Funky Zulu (You're So Fresh)[10] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1990 Label (Catalogue Number): XL Recordings (XLT-11) Produced by the Moody Boys | ||
| What Is Dub?[11] Artist: The Moody Boys introduce Screamer Year: 1991 Label (Catalogue Number): Love Records/Polydor (EVOLX 03) Produced by the Moody Boys | ||
| What Is Dub? (The KLF And Apollo 440 Remixes)[12] Artist: The Moody Boys introduce Screamer Year: 1991 Label (Catalogue Number): Love Records (EVOLR 3) Produced by the Moody Boys Remixes by The KLF, including a "Kings Of Low Frequency Dub Version", and Apollo 440 | ||
| Lion Dance (Remix)[13] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1991 Label (Catalogue Number): Fourth Floor Records (FF 1123) Produced by the Moody Boys (some tracks); other tracks produced by Tony Thorpe and Jimmy Cauty | ||
| Centre Of The World[14] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1992 Label (Catalogue Number): Love Records/Polydor (EVOLX 15) Produced by the Moody Boys | ||
| Shango[15] Artist: The Moody Boyz Year: 1994 Label (Catalogue Number): Guerilla Records (GRRR 65) Produced by Moody Dog Productions (Handley/Turner/Downie/Thorpe) at Black Dog Towers | ||
| Recycled EP[16] Artist: Moody Boyz Year: 1994 Label (Catalogue Number): Guerilla Records (GREP 006) | ||
| Destination Africa[17] Artist: The Moody Boys Year: 1994 Label (Catalogue Number): SSR Records (SSR 141) |
| What Time Is Love? (Remodelled & Remixed) Artist: The KLF Year: 1990 Catalogue Number: KLF Communications KLF 004Y Featuring "What Time Is Love? (The Moody Boys vs The KLF)" | ||
| 3 a.m. Eternal (The Moody Boys Selection) Artist: The KLF Year: 1991 Catalogue Number: KLF Communications KLF 005Y | ||
| Last Train to Trancentral (The KLF Meets The Moody Boys Uptown) Artist: The KLF Year: 1991 Catalogue Number: KLF Communications KLF 008Y | ||
| The Right Decision Artist: Jesus Jones Year: 1993 Catalogue Number: Food CDPERV 2 Featuring "The Right Decision (Moody Reconstruction Mix)" |