Mike "Prince Fatty" Pelanconi
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| Mike Pelanconi | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Prince Fatty |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | reggae, dub, rock, pop |
| Occupation(s) | sound engineer, record producer |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Label(s) | Rasa Music |
| Website | www.princefatty.com |
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Mike Pelanconi is a British freelance sound engineer and record producer.
As a record producer, Pelanconi has worked with a diverse repertoire of records and labels, from the acid jazz of the 1990's to rock musicians like Graham Coxon (of Blur), reggae legends like Gregory Isaacs and Dub Syndicate, and pop singers such as Lily Allen and Little Barrie. Other musicians he has worked with include JD from A Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, N'Dea Davenport, Brand New Heavies, Mother Earth, Kula Shaker, The Sugarhill Gang, Little Roy, Adrian Sherwood/ON-U Sound, Sinéad O'Connor, Lo Fidelity Allstars, Born Jamericans, Luciano, Capleton, Ash, and Nostalgia 77.
[edit] Prince Fatty
In 2005, the clothing company Stüssy put together a line inspired by the vivid, rootsy styles of Jamaica to commemorate their 25th anniversary, and turned to Pelanconi to create a limited-edition single to complement it. Inspired by the optimistic, laid-back vibe of Jamaica in the early 70's, Pelanconi created an alter-ego nicknamed "Prince Fatty," meant as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the dub great King Tubby. The bouncy instrumental track he created for Stussy, "Nina's Dance," song was unexpectedly successful, getting wide airplay on Britain's Radio One. Following its success, Pelanconi decided to create an album-length homage to what he considered one of the most vibrant eras in Jamaican music.
For the album, called "Survival of the Fattest," Pelanconi assembled a "supergroup" of reggae greats, including afrobeat saxophonist Bukky Leo, drummer Style Scott from the Roots Radics, Nostalgia 77's horn section, and Hammond organ by Bubblers from Ruff Cut Band. Guest vocals were provided by Hollie Cook, singer from The Slits and daughter of former Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, Winston Francis, and Little Roy, who has worked with esteemed figures such as Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jackie Mittoo and Prince Buster.
The album is inspired by the feel-good spirit of the music of early 70's Jamaica, and was recorded on vintage analogue equipment to preserve the signature warm sound of classic reggae and dub records. Pelanconi also strove to update the sound by speeding up tempos and attempting to push the boundaries of classic dub and reggae by referencing the modern influences of afrobeat, acid jazz, punk, and hip-hop (especially evident in the cover of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice.")
[edit] Discography
[edit] Prince Fatty
- Survival of the Fattest (Rasa Music, 2008)
