It's surprising how little information there is on this man to be found anywhere, which itself proves one of two things. Either a) I'm a total hipster who goes out of his way to revere such people or b) that he's a man who's got the dignity to let the artists he's worked with down the years have the limelight themselves. Naturally, I prefer to think of it as the latter.
Anyway, who is this guy then? English-born, bred and buttered, he's the founder of World Circuit Records (I forget when he did this exactly - late 80s/early 90s I think) which itself has its products distributed by Nonesuch Records. Secondly, since founding World Circuit, he's worked with artists from Central America and West Africa ranging from Oumou Sangaré to the Buena Vista Social Club (the very concept of which was basically his doing) as producer. While not only being instrumental in shaping the best possible sound to bring out the strengths of the music he was working with, in founding World Circuit he's also been responsible for bringing so much music from West Africa and Central America to western listeners who otherwise would probably never have been privileged to hear it. Not necessarily objective fact, but it's how I feel about the man's achievements myself. Also, through his long working relationship with Ali Farka Touré, he's not only had a hand in some of the best West African music out there, but it was his tendency not to overproduce, to simply let the natural talents and cultural musical traditions of the musicians he's worked with take centre stage, that he's also had a strong hand in my favourite album of all time - that being In the Heart Of the Moon. Basically, a hugely rewarding musical avenue that I've gone down in my life can be pinned on his achievements.
An absolute legend in my eyes. Here's some of the music his production methods and record company have brought us down the years...
I was gonna type up an entry for a certain Chris Hillman as well, but I'm getting sleepy so I might just do it tomorrow or something...
loveissucide
03-12-2010 06:55 PM
Mark E Smith http://www.kevchino.com/graffix/band...thefall_bp.jpg
Much as the man'd detest being listed here, I think he deserves his place here on the grounds that he's spent 30 years following no muse but his own, and never been afraid to speak his mind about the failings of the world around him. What distinguishes Smith from other misanthropes is the sense that creating music is where he genuinely belongs, as seen by his constantly working and striving to create. For this I think he deserves icon recognition for simply not allowing anyone or anything to change him.
