(Newswire.net — November 4, 2020) — Producers are criminally underrated in the music world at large, but they’re the ones who craft new sounds with cutting edge technology and make legends of the artists we know and love.
Some of the world’s greatest production talents have come from the British Isles, which has been at the forefront of popular music ever since the mid-20th century.
Thankfully, UK producers are getting more recognition in the industry lately, and it’s time to show appreciation for these masterminds. Here are some of the names you need to know.
20th Century Legends
From the British Invasion of the ‘60s to the punk revolution of the late ‘70s, Britain led the charge for popular music in the 20th century. These are the producers that mattered most and who we still acknowledge today.
George Martin
The one and only Paul McCartney dubbed him the “Fifth Beatle” for capturing the magic of the world’s favorite pop sensation in the 1960s, but his engineering contributions to The Beatles were only part of the picture.
Martin started producing comedy and novelty records in the 1950s, then caught his big break in 1962 with that charming band from Liverpool.
He continued to remaster and refine The Beatles’ recordings for years after the group disbanded, creating new arrangements and keeping fans happy until his death in 2016.
Joe Meek
We can attribute a lot of the echo and dub effects of modern reggae music, hip-hop, and EDM to Joe Meek, who paved the way in the 1960s with experimental space-age pop.
His music may not have been accepted at the time, but critics and pop connoisseurs have since realized what a massive contribution Meek made to the art and science of music production.
Although he died too soon in 1967, Meek was responsible for hundreds of futuristic records that still sound great to this day.
Brian Eno
The word “pioneer” comes to mind immediately when discussing Brian Eno, who began his career with art-rockers Roxy Music in 1971 before embarking on an illustrious solo career a few short years later.
Eno made big waves with numerous best-selling records as an artist throughout the 1970s, brought ambient music to the mainstream, then transitioned into a producer role for influential artists including David Bowie and Talking Heads.
On top of this success, Eno continued producing for some of the world’s biggest bands in the 21st century, such as U2 and Coldplay. He continues to work on major projects to this day.
Modern Music Geniuses
British producers have continued to hold influence over modern airwaves and spearheaded the digital music revolution, dominating rock and branching out into hip hop and electronica.
Nigel Godrich
The famed Radiohead producer was the brains behind the record-setting 1997 album Ok, Computer, receiving endless accolades for his ability to mix classic rock fidelity with futuristic digital textures and themes.
Mark Ronson
Although he came from a rather privileged background, Mark Ronson didn’t rely on family money for long. He has made quite a name for himself by producing some of the biggest hits of the 21st century, with artists like Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Adele.
Calvin Harris
Widely recognized as one of the world’s highest-paid DJs, Calvin Harris has been on top of the global charts for nearly a decade, mixing classic house sounds with festival-grade electronic and pop sensibilities.
He was one of the first artists to sign with the British-bred entertainment group Three Six Zero, which has helped launch his career to new heights over the past several years.
The Future of Production
Britain will undoubtedly remain on the cutting edge of music production, with entertainment visionaries such as Mark Gillespie continuing to help put creatives in the spotlight.
As they say, what’s big in London now will sweep the United States in under a decade, so stay tuned.