When it comes to the matter of having to describe or pin-down the Flightcrank sound then, to be perfectly honest with you, preparing to expect the unexpected really does seem like the best option available.
You see, Leeroy Thornhill (who IS Flightcrank) pretty much defiles all pre-set conformities...and rightly so as, though being one of four founder members of the now world-famous The Prodigy since their conception way at the turn of 1990, this Essex-born-and-bred navigator in advanced sound manipulation now finds himself in the newly-acquired position of being in full control of his own musical operations.
We're about to enter to the next chapter...
But..hey, kids!, before we move forth and into the present and future we need to touch back and into past, just so that you're all clear...
Rewinding around ten years or so and whilst The Prodigy (after unleashing 'Experience') were fast gaining a reputation throughout the early peripherals of what would later become the fully-fledged U.K hardcore movement by performing live P.A.'s at clubs and warehouse events from one end of the country to another, Leeroy had already made his initial forays into acquiring the relevant studio equipment, subsequently leading on to the man then arranging and writing his first few excursions into track construction.
Though becoming a slow process at first, this would take full form around three years down the line in '93 as, after Leeroy taking up the ubiquitous skills of the wheels of steel a year previous to this a more breakbeat / hardcore-based influence, the debut vinyl releases from his very self, albeit as a limited white-label-only and under the guise of Lowrise, would surface, and to much critical acclaim.
As you can guess, this was the start of good things for Mr Thornhill as, whilst Prodigy commitments were taking greater precedence by the day and worldwide tours and dates for the band would soon be arriving in their droves, his own unique studio methods were gradually being honed up to the point of being commissioned to remix none other than Moby's 'Come On Baby' for Mute in 1994 and though the overhaul never quite managed to see the light of day - release-wise, it had still put the man in good stead for further work that would soon be coming through on the production tip.
By the arrival of the following year, and whilst Leeroy's DJ'ing sound had now started to incorporate a more trance / techno type of edge, remixes of Shades Of Rhythm's 'Psycho Bass' came next on the agenda and were soon to be proceeded by his sophomore white label releases, this time being put under the working moniker of 'The Longman E.P' - that caused more than yer' average stir throughout key circles and even found it's way onto Kris Need's ...Must' compilation after much rotation from said Jock.
So, what with the release of The Prodigy's third long-player, 'Fat Of The Land', and it's extra topping-up on the success that had been so evident throughout the previous two, 'Experience' and 'Music For The Jilted Generation', the next two years (from around 1996 to 1998) were probably Leeroy's busiest yet as whilst world tours came into play once again (resulting in a huge one-off bash playing to over 300,000 people in Red Square, Moscow) and yet further turntables stints were to take place in destinations as varied as the UK, Ireland, Germany and Greece, to name but a small few, any spare time left available was immediately spent adding new parts and gadgets to the studio set-up and, of course, getting to work on new tracks.
Leading on to 1999 and, in essence, this was where it would all really kick off for Mr. Thornhill...
Indeed, as after successfully being brought in to remix London Records' up-and-coming artists, Southern Fly, and their two key singles 'Maybe It's The Right Time' and 'For Real'. The re-routing in Leeroy's direction that lay ahead would now take on new meaning...
The reason why?
Well, due to a certain link with Copasetik Recordings a certain overhaul on Dr. Dooom's (a.k.a none other than Kool 'Smack My Bitch Up' Keith) modern day hip hop classic 'Leave Me Alone', was to come into the picture and, so pleased was Leeroy on subsequent feedback and acclaim gained on just that one remix alone (this time under guise of Fightcrank, plans were drafted, a mutual vibe became apparent and so by the year's close of play, Leeroy had signed to the label.
Which kind of smoothly brings us up to the present day...
Having structured his studio, situated slap-bang in the centre of his own Windmill, deep in the outback of Essex country, to ideal specifications and been putting together more brand new cuts than you could even dare to shake a stick at, it looks as if this year really is to be Leeroy's time to shine after what could be described as ten years of very fruitful experience already in the bag. Leeroy did remixes for the likes of Masta Ace & Runaways for Ultimate Dilemma, Moby and top Irish artist of the moment, David Gray. The debut Flightcrank E.P., called appropriately enough, 'The Twisted EP' (featuring Lee 'Scratch' Perry), was released last July and met with universal praise for its "twisted beats and wonky reggae vibes".
The musical style of the album ranges from break beat folk to lo-fi soul and indie with contributions from 'Scratch' Perry and 'The Very' Mad Professor. Discography
Any suggestions,
mail to
[ juge@theprodigy.info
]
