Steven Young, co-founder of ’80s electronic acts Colourbox and M/A/R/R/S, has died. The news was first announced by his former label 4AD, who tweeted “A true pioneer, Steven Young (Colourbox / M/A/R/R/S) has sadly passed away.
Young and his brother, Martyn, formed Colourbox in 1982, releasing one self-titled EP and album infused with reggae and soul influences and featuring vocalist Lorita Grahame before the pair hooked up with alt dance duo A.R. Kane for what would be their breakthrough hit as M/A/R/R/S, the frenetic, propulsive No. 13 Hot 100 hit “Pump up the Volume.” The song prominently used a sample of Eric B. & Rakim’s “I Know You Got Soul,” which had been released just months earlier, as well as tracks by James Brown, Trouble Funk, Public Enemy and Kool & the Gang.
