RIP Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell 1943-2011

 

Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell has passed away. Fonce together with his brother, Larry, were studio engineers and producers who worked along various great artists like Donald Byrd and Bobbi Humphrey, as well as producing one of the greatest LP's of all time (In my opinion of course!) in Johnny Hammonds "Gears". (Check out the discography HERE).

Grizz kick started my "Great Producer" mixes with his mix of Mizell Brother favorites here:

DJ Grizz - Mizell Brothers Mix

and this link is for the Marc Mac and Dego mix that they did a while back. (Alphonso's brother, Larry, appeared on the last 4Hero LP, Play with the Changes.)

4Hero - Mizell Brothers special

A great loss, and a great inspiration to many. Only the other day, I commented to Zo! on Twitter about his track "Flight of the Blackbyrd" on SunStorm, his last LP, sounding like a mizell production. His reply?

"Those kats are a huge influence....".