Marshall Jefferson
ListenMove Your Body · 1986
Marshall Jefferson — “The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body),” 1986 Trax recording.
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1986 · Trax Records
The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body)
The piano announces itself before the invitation to dance. Marshall Jefferson’s “Move Your Body” brought a warm, songful voice to Chicago house in 1986, with his friend and fellow postal worker Curtis McClain singing the lead. [1] [2]
| Accession | OMMA-0091 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Marshall Jefferson |
| Release | 1986 · United States |
| Label | Trax Records · TX117 |
| Format | 12-inch vinyl single · 33⅓ rpm |
| Issue | US commercial issue |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | NM |
Release history and significance
McClain first helped Jefferson with DJ techniques while they worked at the post office. Their friendship later carried into the studio: McClain became the voice of “Move Your Body.” Jefferson was still working the graveyard shift as the music began opening doors beyond Chicago. [1]
Jefferson played by ear rather than through formal keyboard training. He described recording parts slowly and speeding them up, using a sequencer to build layers of piano, bass, organ and strings. The technology let him shape the music he could hear in his head. [1]
The record’s subtitle began as an argument. Jefferson told The Quietus that Larry Sherman did not consider the track house music, so Jefferson called it “The House Music Anthem.” He recalled taking it to Ron Hardy in August 1985; cassette copies circulated in Chicago clubs before Trax released it in June 1986. The dancers had already made their decision. [2]
The Trax twelve-inch offers four versions: “Move Your Body,” “Dub Your Body,” “Drum Your Body” and “House Your Body.” Jefferson is credited as Virgo for writing, production and arrangement, with Ron Hardy credited for mixing. [3]
Market context
Discogs lists sales for the 1986 red-label TX117 edition from US$8 to US$179.86, with a median of US$24.66, as recorded on 13 September 2026. [3]
Physical Description
A twelve-inch Trax Records single with two mixes on each side, catalogue TX117. [3]
Condition
Recorded as Near Mint at acquisition.
Provenance
Acquired through Discogs from seller vinylpusher281 on 13 February 2026.
Sources
- Sound Royalties, Q&A with Marshall Jefferson. 19 January 2022. Jefferson discusses Curtis McClain, the post office and his recording methods.
- John Doran, Respect Due: Marshall Jefferson Interviewed, The Quietus. 21 October 2013. Jefferson recalls the title, club circulation and June 1986 release.
- Discogs, Marshall Jefferson — The House Music Anthem, release 1167410. 1986 US red-label TX117 edition, credits, mixes and market reference.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.