Word spread out earlier this week that Alphonso “Fonce” Mizell had passed away at the far too young age of 68. Fonce Mizell had a hand in some of the most indelible music of the 1960s and 1970s. First as a member of “The Corporation” at Motown, he helped put together several J5 hits, including “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “ABC.” There are few songs that I know of that have the universal appeal and just raw beautiful joie-de-vivre of those tracks. There are few perfect smile producing pop songs out there, but Mizell had a hand in more than a few.
Later on Fonce got together with his brother Larry and helped to produce some of the most smile inducing music of the 1970s through partnerships with Donald Byrd, Bobbi Humphrey, Johnny Hammond, Gary Bartz and others. The song is so distinct and yet so consistent regardless of the artist’s name attached to the record that, like David Axelrod from 1968-1971, really ALL of these albums should be listed under the Mizell Bros. It’s music that’s brought great joy to my life and countless others, through the originals or the MANY samples that have come out of Mizell Bros. productions. Definitely expect an hour long tribute on Melting Pot come July 24th, but for now I wanted to run down my Top 5 favorite Mizell Bros. productions.
Music Is My Sanctuary
Though it’s out of step with most of Bartz’s discography, I’m not sure there’s a better anthem than this track. Music is a major part of my life and every line in this song fits my experience with music and why, after almost 18 years and rarely getting paid for it, I continue to spend so much time playing, obsessing, listening, thinking about and loving music. “Music Is My Sanctuary” is indeed optimistical and so much more.
Harlem River Drive
Probably the first Mizell Bros. production that really grabbed onto me, mainly because of the way the lyrics, “Harlem River Drive, Going For A Ride,” are sung. Whether it’s the softness in the sound of the voices, the breeziness of the melody or the way “drive” and “ride” are extended and seem to melt away at each turn, it’s sounds like Heaven to me. Even if you can’t ride down Harlem River Drive, this is a perfect song to drive around on afternoons when the living is easy.
Think Twice
Probably the most sampled track, breaks for days for sure, but all together it’s such a fantastic song, from the female/male vocals to the rhythm and all those fantastic changes. Pure brilliance.
Dominoes
As I mentioned in my Side Bar conversation with Oliver Wang of Soul-Sides, I don’t think there’s a better summer song than this classic…if Doctor’s prescribed this song instead of anti-depressants, the world we be a significantly better place.
Lansana’s Priestess
As much as I love the other songs, the number one track from the Mizell Bros. that finds it’s way into my mind the most remains this lead track from the Street Lady. Like so many of the Mizell Bros. productions, it’s that easy and breezy nature in the groove, with the guitar, drums and synth/horn lines as the song opens and then keeps building and building and building. I can still vividly remember the first time I played this song on the radio, at Album 88 in Atlanta, early on in the monthly midnight show I used to do there “Soul Kitchen.” Several of the guys from the Hip-Hop shows were hanging around getting records and practicing routines for the weekend mix show “The Bomb.” One of them was JayCee who popped his head in and thanked me for playing this track saying how much it reminded him of growing up and having his folks playing this record at his home. To me that’s what this music evokes everytime I hear it, this beautiful and serene memory and I’m so thankful for the Mizell Bros. for producing it…Rest in peace Fonce Mizell.