Since the mid-80s the UK duo of ex-art teacher Jonathon Moore and computer programmer Matt Black have been responsible for a number of important innovations in the dance music arena. Like DJ Steinski, they realized the creative potential of sampling records, television, Walt Disney sounds and other non-musical sources, and in 1987 made their first records, "Say Kids What Time Is It?", "Greedy Beat" and "Bits And Pieces"; a sample of "Say Kids ...' was later used on MARRS" "Pump Up The Volume". With the acid house boom, Coldcut became a widely respected remix team, beginning with a mix of Eric B And Rakim's "Paid In Full". At the same time they were DJing on pirate radio stations, notably their Solid Steel show on Kiss, and at acid house parties such as Shoom. In 1988, with Yazz, Moore and Black (as the Plastic Population) produced groundbreaking pop that combined hip-hop and house styles on such tracks as "Doctorin' The House" and "The Only Way Is Up". The following year they helped to launch the career of Lisa Stansfield with "People Hold On", which was featured on their debut album, What's That Noise?
In 1990, Black and Moore were voted producers of the year at the BPI awards, at which point it was conceivable that they would continue in a Stock, Aitken And Waterman mould, churning out more hits. However, their vision extended beyond the formulae of house and techno and, following difficulties with major labels, Moore and Black established Ninja Tune Records as a vehicle for their own experimentation. Coldcut released the album Philosophy for Arista Records in 1993 in order to fulfil contractual obligations, a number of singles including "Autumn Leaves", and a number of tracks on Ninja Tune compilations.
In 1997, "Atomic Moog 2000" and "More Bits And Pieces" heralded Let Us Play!, the CD release of which contained an "interactive toybox full of Coldcut games, toys and videos", designed in collaboration with Hex. Like the DJ Food albums, Let Us Play! explored the abstract hip-hop idea where funk beats underpinned various textures, often based on dialogue, including poets, rappers and other pre-recorded segments, and other non-melodic sources. In the meantime, they developed the Ninja Tune concept and became involved in a range of projects linked with the label, including the DJ Food albums and various club nights. They also continued to broadcast on Kiss FM and to DJ worldwide. Like many creative artists, Moore and Black envisage a future that combines music with technology, where DJs may have any number of sources at their disposal, rather than two decks and a mixer.
