Moti Special

Moti Special was a West German new wave band formed in Hamburg in 1981. The group consisted of Michael Cretu on keyboards, Nils Tuxen on guitar, Manfred Thiers handling bass and vocals, and Reinhard Tarrach on drums. All members brought a wealth of experience as session musicians before coming together for this project. The band released their sole studio album, Motivation, in 1985, through the Teldec label. They also issued singles such as "Cold Days" and "Don't Be So Shy." While information regarding their activities after 1985 is sparse, the group is technically listed as active, indicating a period of dormancy rather than formal disbandment. The band's primary record label was Teldec.[edit]

The genesis of Moti Special traces back to 1981 in Hamburg, West Germany, when four musicians with extensive session work experience decided to form a new musical unit. The core members included Danish guitarist Nils Tuxen, German-Romanian keyboardist Michael Cretu, bassist and vocalist Manfred "Thissy" Thiers, and drummer Reinhard "Dickie" Tarrach. Each member had honed their skills contributing to other artists' recordings, providing a solid foundation for their collaborative venture. The distinctive name, "Moti Special," was conceived by Manfred Thiers. The idea arose during a visit to an Indian restaurant in London, where he was accompanied by German-Israeli artist Moti Argaman. They ordered the establishment's signature "special" dish, a particularly spicy option, which sparked Thiers' imagination and led to the band's unique name. This origin story reflects a blend of international influence and a touch of culinary inspiration.[edit]

Moti Special's musical output is characterized by the new wave and electronic genres, with a notable influence from synth-pop. Their sound often featured prominent synthesizers and electronic beats, characteristic of the era. The production approach, particularly on singles like "Don't Be So Shy" produced by Michael Cretu, aimed for a polished, contemporary sound that fit within the popular electronic music landscape of the mid-1980s. Lyrical themes, as suggested by their single titles like "Cold Days," often touched upon introspective or relationship-focused subjects, delivered with the characteristic vocal style common in new wave music. Their sole studio album, Motivation, released in 1985, serves as the most complete representation of their stylistic direction.[edit]

While Moti Special did not achieve widespread global fame, their existence contributed to the diverse electronic and new wave music scene of 1980s West Germany. As a collective of experienced session musicians, their work represented the professional level of studio talent prevalent at the time. The band's primary album, Motivation, and their singles offer a snapshot of the synth-pop trends that were shaping popular music. Michael Cretu's involvement as a producer, and later his significant solo career success with Enigma, highlights the caliber of talent within Moti Special and its connection to broader musical developments.[edit]

Information regarding a dedicated fandom for Moti Special, including specific traditions, fan projects, or unique identifiers such as a fan name or lightstick, is not readily available. The group's relatively limited discography and period of activity, coupled with sparse documentation of fan engagement, means that organized fandom culture is not a prominent aspect of their history.[edit]

The band's name, Moti Special, was inspired by a spicy dish ordered at an Indian restaurant in London with Moti Argaman. Keyboardist Michael Cretu would later find significant international success as the founder of the musical project Enigma. All members of Moti Special had prior experience working as session musicians before forming the group. The band released their sole studio album, Motivation, in 1985. Notable songs include "Cold Days" and "Don't Be So Shy."[edit]