Sly Fox (musical group)
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Note: Sly Fox is also the name of a play by Larry Gelbart
Sly Fox was a short-lived 1980s pop duo consisting of:
- Gary "Mudbone" Cooper — African American funk session musician noted for his work with George Clinton, Sly Stone and Bootsy Collins
- Michael Camacho — a Hispanic a capella vocalist
The duo was assembled by British producer Ted Currier and presented as wholesome, clean living teen idols; an image that contrasted sharply with the sound of their lone hit.
"Let's Go All The Way", released on Capitol Records, became a Top 10 hit in both the USA and UK in 1986. Propelled by an unusual mechanical-sounding "zhum zhum zinna-ninny" rhythm and deadpan vocals, the song sounded more like the moody New Wave music of Depeche Mode than any of Cooper's earlier funky collaborations.
The song's title was often interpreted as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, though nothing else in the lyrics hinted at anything carnal. The lyrics were actually strongly resemblant of Phil Collins's rock-oriented efforts of the era - echoing a sense of frustration and disillusionment with an increasingly violent and dehumanizing world.
The follow-up singles "Stay True" and "Don't Play With Fire" marked a return to their clean-cut teen idol image, but sold poorly. The group reformed and underwent a name change to become Club Nouveou, having huge success with the pop hit "Lean on me", a cover of the old Bill Withers soul number.
Trivia:
- Sly Fox's hit song's distinctive rhythm was copied from the Boogie Boys' 1985 rap song "A Fly Girl", another Capitol Records release.
- "Let's Go All The Way" was remade by Insane Clown Posse in 2000, becoming an airplay hit for the Detroit duo.
