Mizell Brothers Tribute- Shoreditch Radio

The Rare Groove Show

This is a show that went out on Shoreditch Radio (www.shoreditchradio.co.uk) back in February 2011.
Larry and Fonce Mizell are two of the most talented and inventive producers ever to set foot inside a recording studio. Sadly at the end of the 1970s they became elusive and virtually inactive in music.
Renowned for their work as Sky High Productions on Blue Note Records throughout the 70s and on collectable and important labels such as Milestone and Fantasy- they are probably best known for their collaborations with jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd and the LPs PLACES AND SPACES, STREET LADY, STEPPIN INTO TOMORROW, CARICATURES and BLACK BYRD. The Mizells successfully moved Byrd from his established hard bop base to a form of challenging jazz fusion- alienating much of Byrd's fan base but allowing him to reach a new spectrum of listeners. They also produced the seminal LPs- Gears by Johnny Hammond and Music Is My Sanctuary by Gary Bartz- both groundbreaking in their field and as relevant today, 40 years later, as when released.
Before their 70s golden period Larry and Fonce were part of the The Corporation production and house writing team at Motown and had a hand in hits like I Want You Back and ABC for the Jackson 5. Edwin Starr's Hell Up In Harlem soundtrack was a collaboration between Starr, Freddie Perren and Fonce Mizell. Their less is more philosophy meant getting the best from the studio and the way instruments were miked and recorded. The best of their productions generally stretch to no more than 8 tracks.
The Mizells found a new generation of listeners who discovered them via samples used by A Tribe Called Quest, Stetsasonic and Black Moon among many others. The Mizells resurfaced in 2007 with a compilation on Blue Note and Larry Mizell guested on 4Hero's album Play With the Changes- his sound seemingly unchanged and as strong as 30 years before. Sadly Fonce Mizell passed away in 2011.
My advice is clear a space in your diary, get some good headphones and turn off your phone. This selection of tracks deserves undivided attention.