Rest in Power Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell (1943-2011). He and his brother Larry have been a huge influence on me since I began making music. I had no idea how much of an impact they made until I realized how many of my favorite records they were involved with. The list of artists go from Bobby Humphrey and Donald Byrd to The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye and beyond.
I was fortunate to have met him during a Red Bull Music Academy brainstorm session in my hometown earlier this year. Needless to say, I ran home and grabbed a record for an autograph (I'm the guy who doesn't get "starstruck", but this was a once in a lifetime chance to meet my musical heroes). He was in poor health at the time, but coming home this week to find out he had passed hit me deeply.
Friend and fellow blogger Matthew Africa made a mix last year celebrating the genius of their production career. I highly recommend checking it out and reflecting on one of the greatest producers of our era.
DJ Matthew Africa - 2 Busy Saying Yeah 21 - The Mizell Bros.
Here's a couple Mizell produced edits I've previously posted...
Gary Bartz - Gentle Smiles (Saxy) (DJ Day Sax-less Mix)
Johnny Hammond - Shifting Gears (DJ Day Alt Mix)
There would be no this if there was no him.
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2 comments:
Thanks for posting the mix, homie. I'm honored.
I really love those two edits. If you've got more multis, I hope you'll make more!
RIP indeed. Mizell Brothers productions have this way, like almost no others, of giving me that West Coast summer feeling, like they were able to record sunshine and blue skies and put it on LP.
I played out your Gary Bartz edit at my Thursday residency last week. Awesome edit. Would love to have the chance to hear those multis.
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