UK Producer, engineer, and DJ Prince Fatty (Mike Pelanconi) has led new generations into the worlds of reggae, soul, and Latin grooves, while earning a reputation as one of the world’s best modern dub producers. He produced the first two Hollie Cook albums in 2011 and 2014, helping write a new chapter in U.K. Lovers Rock. In the past decade, through a series of singles and various artist compilations, he has helped shine new light on veteran performers such as Little Roy, Winston Francis, Earl Sixteen, and his emcee and collaborator, Horseman, who was the drummer for UK group Reggae Regular. He mixed Lily Allen’s bestselling Alright Still album and recently remixed tracks by global reggae artist Stick Figure and the iconic Last Poets.
Presented with a meticulously selected set of Bunny “Striker” Lee four-track master recordings, Fatty mixed 10 dubs into Prince Fatty Meets The Gorgon In Dub, showing that a craft honed 50 years ago by King Tubby, Prince Philip, Prince Jammy, and Scientist could be honored again in the modern era.
The project is available on vinyl LP and streaming platforms on November 3, 2023. The LP features an original Spliffington illustration, liner notes, and an uncirculated photo of producer Bunny Lee.
Jah Jah Dub The Conqueror
Dub Is Shining
Garden Of Dub
“These are classic songs, we all know the arrangements inside out, so to me it’s nicer and fresher to hear a new structure”, explains Prince Fatty of his approach. “I’ve had a lot of fun with this and it’s been very educational for me. To hear the quality, not just of the musicianship, but the engineering is spectacular”.
The original Bunny Striker Lee riddim tracks include Linval Thompson’s “Jah Jah A The Conqueror” edited with Tommy McCook’s instrumental arrangement of the same; Jackie Edwards’ “The Invasion” originally by Burning Spear; Cornel Campbell’s “Press Along”; Horace Andy’s “Don’t Try To Use Me”; Ronnie Davis’ “Sun Is Shining” originally by Bob Marley; Barry Brown’s “Give Thanks & Praise”; Rod Taylor’s “Garden Of Eden”; Neville Brown’s “Prophesy” the instrumental track also known for Don Carlos’ “Late Night Blues”; Leroy Smart’s “No Love” the instrumental also known for Horace Andy’s “Zion Gate”; and Don Carlos’ “Ababajonoi” which derives from Jackie Mittoo and Vin Gordon’s “Real Rock” instrumental.
“The personalities of all the characters involved, I think that is underestimated,” he continues. “People always talk about the equipment or the tape machine or the mixing desk, but I defy anyone to sound like the Aggrovators. That’s what’s beautiful about all these recordings. The personality is just jumping out of the speakers. Hearing the vocals in isolation just makes the hair on my arms stand up”. (VP Records)
