This US hip-hop/funk crossover outfit was formed in New York City in 1993 by Huey Morgan (b. 8 August 1968, USA; vocals/guitar), Steve Borovini (drums/programming) and Fast (b. Brian Leiser; bass/keyboards/harmonica). Assimilating a variety of local music influences - predominantly hip-hop but also funk, rock and blues - as well as cult cinema references, in October 1995 the trio released the four track Original Soundtrack For Hi-Fi Living on Silver Spotlight Records. With samples drawn from movies such as Pulp Fiction as well as records by obscure British gothic band Tones On Tail, and lyrical narratives describing New York's criminal underclass, they soon drew comparisons to the Beastie Boys, as well as other urban east coast hip-hop crews such as Lordz Of Brooklyn and Young Black Teenagers. In common with both those outfits, Fun Lovin' Criminals initially struggled to establish a singular identity outside of the Beastie Boys comparisons. The excellent Come Find Yourself (1996) and a string of single releases (including "Fun Lovin' Criminal", "Scooby Snacks" and "King Of New York") did secure strong airplay, particularly in the UK where the album reached the Top 10. They also received a series of rave reviews for their concert appearances. 100% Colombian downplayed the hip-hop rhythms in favour of a soulful vibe, characterised by the Barry White tribute single, "Love Unlimited", which debuted at number 18 in August 1998. The album entered the UK charts at number 3 a month later, but failed to breakthrough in their homeland where they continue to be ignored.
Borovini was subsequently replaced in the line-up by Maxwell "Mackie' Jayson. 1999"s b-side compilation Mimosa collected together the band's lounge style cover versions of their own and other artist's material. Their first album of the new millennium Loco saw the new look trio pursuing the funk/soul vibe to great effect, and slipping in a slinky cover version of Eric B And Rakim's "Microphone Fiend'. It proved to the Fun Lovin' Criminals' last major label release, however, with subsequent albums Welcome To Poppy's (2003) and Livin" In The City (2005) appearing through Sanctuary Records.
