It was with sad news this week that we received the news of Fonce Mizell’s death. Along with his brother Larry they formed the mighty production group of the Mizell Brothers, releasing many classic albums such as Johnny Hammonds Gears & Gamblers Life, Bobbi Humphreys Blacks and Blues & Satan Doll and Donald Byrd’s Blackbyrd (a huge hit by jazz standards) album along with other great records like Places and Spaces & Steppin Into Tomorrow etc. My favorite album of thiers however is the one they released with the Rance Allen Group entitled Say My Friend which is just magical from start to finish. Fonce has also worked along side such artists as Michael Jackson, Edwin Starr and Marvin Gaye for example. Larry and Fonce created dance music, inspired by rock, soul and funk but in a very unique way and in a Jazz standard which many purists at the time frowned upon. Their production style is instantly identifiable and their signature sound will live on through the years due to its originality and all around freshness. We salute Fonce Mizell as another great artist and producer passes away. Dj Matthew Africa has put the mix below together in honor of the man and includes many of the Mizell’s hits. Here’s some words by Matthew about the mix below. We hope you enjoy, no doubt you will…

R.I.P Fonce Mizell

“The Mizells’ music doesn’t really lend itself to DJing– the tempos fluctuate a lot, the arrangements are dense and the songs tend to be really long– but I did my best with it. I tried to let some of my favorites breathe, while still trying to make room for as many songs as I could. The mixing isn’t airtight but is pretty good considering I did it live or at least sort of live; early in June. I took the original mix and replaced the talking portions with music and, in some cases, additional songs…More info here

1. Johnny Hammond – Tell Me What to Do
2. Donald Byrd – You and Music
3. L.T.D. – Love to the World
4. Margie Evans – Waterfalls
5. Donald Byrd – Lansana’s Priestess
6. Johnny Hammond – Conquistadores Chocolatés
7. Gary Bartz – Music Is My Sanctuary
8. Johnny Hammond – Star Borne
9. Johnny Hammond – Fantasy
10. A Taste of Honey – World Spin
11. The Blackbyrds – Reggins
12. Rance Allen Group – Reason to Survive
13. Donald Byrd – Wind Parade
14. Bobbi Humphrey – New York Times
15. Bobbi Humphrey – Uno Esta
16. Bobbi Humphrey – Jasper Country Man
17. Donald Byrd – Change (Makes You Want to Hustle)
18. Johnny Hammond – Shifting Gears
19. Donald Byrd – (Fallin’ Like) Dominoes
20. A Taste of Honey – Do It Good
21. Donald Byrd – Think Twice [Mizell Brothers 2005 Remix]
22. Gary Bartz – Gentle Smiles (Saxy) [DJ Day edit]
23. Donald Byrd – Places and Spaces
24. Bobbi Humphrey – Harlem River Drive
25. Marvin Gaye – Where Are We Going?
26. Bobbi Humphrey – Blacks and Blues
27. Johnny Hammond – Can’t We Smile
28. L.T.D. – Love Ballad
29. Donald Byrd – Stepping Into Tomorrow
30. Donald Byrd – Miss Kane
31. Brenda Lee Eager – When I’m With You
32. Bobbi Humphrey – Please Set Me at Ease
33. Bobbi Humphrey – My Little Girl
34. Donald Byrd – Slop Jar Blues
35. Donald Byrd – Black Byrd
36. Edwin Starr – Airport Chase
37. Bobbi Humphrey – Mestizo Eyes
38. Bobbi Humphrey – Fancy Dancer
39. Johnny Hammond – Lost on 23rd St.
40. Donald Byrd – Rock and Roll Again

Here’s some of our favorite Fonce & Larry Mizell joints…