Died On This Date (December 3, 2011) Philip “Fatis” Burrell / Prolific Jamaican Record Producer
themusicsover Philip “Fatis” Burell
July 23, 1954 – December 3, 3011
Philip “Fatis” Burrell was a well-respected reggae producer, artist manager, and owner of the influential label, Xterminator Records. By most accounts, he was one of the most successful producers of the modern reggae era. Burrell’s first credit was likely as producer of Sugar Minott’s “More Dogs To The Bone” in 1984. Around that time, he also started his first label, Kings & Lions. A couple of years later, Burrell launched Vena Records where he helped launch the careers of Sanchez and Pinchers. He also released records by such established greats as Gregory Isaacs and Frankie Paul on Vena. Over the course of his career, Burrell also worked with – either as their label head, producer, or manager – Luciano, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Ras Shiloh, and Everton Blender, to name a few. On December 3, 2011, Philip “Fatis” Burrell passed away from complications of a mild stroke he suffered two weeks earlier. He was 57.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.
Mike Smith was an English record producer who, although he was responsible for many hit records, will always be remembered as the guy who passed on the Beatles. Born into a musical family, Smith’s first job in music came by way of the BBC where he worked as a recording engineer. Following his stint there, Smith landed at Decca Records, at first working as an assistant on recordings by the likes of