The Mood Doctors, more commonly known as The MD’s, are a Long Island based hip-hop group which formed in 1998 and consists of Lucious “Luck” Mercer (rhymes, production), Neal “Purp” Forrester (rhymes, production), Savander “Van” Parker a.k.a. Grippy Grip (rhymes, production) and DJ Evil Dee (DJ, production). The group’s founding members, Bronx born Luck and Jamaican born Purp, are life long friends who met when they were in grammar school in Long Island. Both Purp and Luck, who is the brother of De La Soul member Posdnous, were heavily influenced by soul and early 80′s hip-hop music growing up and independently they began to pursue music production.
Over the years they’ve worked as part of separate production teams but in 1994 the duo decided to bring their talents together as “Def 2 U Productions” creating beats for various recording artists. Some of their tracks include “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Red Lady” on neo-soul artist Ambersunshower’s 1996 LP entitled Walter T. and the song “Blue Skies, Butterflies” for her 1997 EP Walter T. Smith – both out on Gee Street Records. According to The Source Magazine “[The production on the albums]…allow Ambersunshower to parade her symphonic voice as a leading instrument…”
In 2000, they produced “Foolin’” on De La Soul’s full-length studio album entitled Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump and in 2001 their production was featured on De La’s Art Official Intelligence: Bionix album with the song “Tryin People.”
Once the production duo connected with Van, who had previously worked with Large Professor, and DJ Evil Dee, of Da Beatminerz, The Mood Doctors project became official. As a unified group, The MD’s decided to start recording and releasing all of their music independently and have released two albums so far, General Medicine in 2003 and Private Practice in 2006.
Their upcoming album entitled Out Break is scheduled for independent release this summer on Pandemonium Wrekords. Songs on the album range from the more serious and soulful, bass-thumpin’ “Creepin” to the up-beat and comedic club joint, “Pink Panties.” This project conveys the music of a clearly dedicated group of seasoned musicians, who not only know how to have fun with their sound, but who also have the skills to convey that positivity to the listener in a humble and easily-accessible way. Out Break laces intricate, eclectic beats with catchy hooks in a way that is unique and natural, making it a worthwhile journey for all music lovers.
Hometown: Long Island, NYC
Label: Pandemonium Wrekordz USA
Website: TheMoodDoctors.com
Connect with The Mood Doctors: Twitter | Facebook | Youtube | Myspace
