Dan Prothero
Encyclopedia
Dan Prothero is a San Francisco-based independent record producer
, recording engineer, and record collector. He has been called "the true king of raw" by [ allmusic.com], for his emphasis on live performance, vintage analog recording techniques, and gritty drum tones.
He founded Fog City Records
in 1996, and began recording a string of widely acclaimed debut records which served as a springboard for the careers of Galactic
, Stanton Moore
, Garage A Trois
, Papa Mali
, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, MOFRO
, Etienne de Rocher
, and Tim Bluhm
.
As an independent producer, Prothero has also recorded followup records with artists including Galactic and Robert Walter
, and remains the ongoing producer of choice for Florida soul band MOFRO. He has also produced drum records with legends Bernard Purdie
and Headhunters
drummer Mike Clark, and created "Bulldog Breaks", the highly-acclaimed (and widely sampled) series of breakbeat
records.
Prior to starting his own label, Prothero helped develop the look and sound of Bay Area label Ubiquity Recordings from its inception in 1989, forming and/or producing many of the groups that appeared on its wildly successful initial releases (Rhythm Section, Slide Five, New Legends, Sweet Potato, etc.), writing liner notes and creating most of the graphic design for Ubiquity and its vintage re-release label Luv N Haight. He continues to create all of the graphic design for releases on his own Fog City Records
imprint, as well as programming the Enhanced CD
content that accompanies them.
In addition, Prothero has teamed up with Turntable Media, working on numerous Enhanced CD
and Interactive TV projects.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, recording engineer, and record collector. He has been called "the true king of raw" by [ allmusic.com], for his emphasis on live performance, vintage analog recording techniques, and gritty drum tones.
He founded Fog City Records
Fog City Records
Fog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
in 1996, and began recording a string of widely acclaimed debut records which served as a springboard for the careers of Galactic
Galactic
Galactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Origins and background:Originally formed in 1994 as an octet and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio,...
, Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore
Stanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
, Garage A Trois
Garage A Trois
Garage A Trois is a quartet including drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist Skerik, vibraphone and percussionist Mike Dillon and keyboardist Marco Benevento. They play a variety of music including rock, funk and jazz.- History :...
, Papa Mali
Papa Mali
Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne is an American slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter who grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, and is based in Austin, Texas....
, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, MOFRO
MOFRO
JJ Grey & MOFRO is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida composed of JJ Grey , Andrew Trube , Anthony Farrell , Anthony Cole and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion , Art Edmaiston JJ Grey & MOFRO (formerly billed just as Mofro) is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern...
, Etienne de Rocher
Etienne de Rocher
Etienne de Rocher is a Berkeley, California based singer songwriter who plays a unique style of indie rock.-External links:****...
, and Tim Bluhm
Tim Bluhm
-Biography:Tim Bluhm was born and raised in California. As the singer/guitarist and primary songwriter of rock band The Mother Hips, Bluhm has spent the last two decades performing, writing, collaborating on, and producing music....
.
As an independent producer, Prothero has also recorded followup records with artists including Galactic and Robert Walter
Robert Walter (musician)
Robert Walter is a keyboard player specializing in instrumental soul jazz on the Hammond B3 organ. He is a founding memberof The Greyboy Allstars, and has since led his own band Robert Walter's 20th Congress.-Biography:...
, and remains the ongoing producer of choice for Florida soul band MOFRO. He has also produced drum records with legends Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie
Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie is an American session drummer, and is considered an influential and innovative exponent of funk...
and Headhunters
The Headhunters
The Headhunters are an American jazz-funk fusion band, best known for their albums they recorded as a backing band of jazz keyboard player Herbie Hancock during the 1970s. Hancock's debut album with the group, Head Hunters, is one of the best-selling jazz/fusion records of all time.-History:Herbie...
drummer Mike Clark, and created "Bulldog Breaks", the highly-acclaimed (and widely sampled) series of breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
records.
Prior to starting his own label, Prothero helped develop the look and sound of Bay Area label Ubiquity Recordings from its inception in 1989, forming and/or producing many of the groups that appeared on its wildly successful initial releases (Rhythm Section, Slide Five, New Legends, Sweet Potato, etc.), writing liner notes and creating most of the graphic design for Ubiquity and its vintage re-release label Luv N Haight. He continues to create all of the graphic design for releases on his own Fog City Records
Fog City Records
Fog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
imprint, as well as programming the Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD, also known as CD Extra and CD Plus, is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players....
content that accompanies them.
In addition, Prothero has teamed up with Turntable Media, working on numerous Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD, also known as CD Extra and CD Plus, is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players....
and Interactive TV projects.
Selected Discography (producer)
- GalacticGalacticGalactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Origins and background:Originally formed in 1994 as an octet and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio,...
- "Coolin' OffCoolin' OffCoolin' Off is the first studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.-Track listing:All tracks by Galactic#"Go Go" – 3:02#"Welcome to New Orleans" – 0:14#"Something's Wrong With This Picture" – 5:56#"Funky Bird" – 4:57...
" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1996 - Stanton MooreStanton MooreStanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
- "All Kooked Out!" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1998 - GalacticGalacticGalactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Origins and background:Originally formed in 1994 as an octet and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio,...
- "Crazyhorse MongooseCrazyhorse MongooseCrazyhorse Mongoose is the second studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.The album reached a peak position of #24 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.-Track listing:All tracks by Galactic# "Hamp's Hump" – 3:45...
" - Volcano RecordsVolcano RecordsVolcano Entertainment is an American rock record label founded in 1996 best known for reissuing albums by Scotti Brothers Records and releasing albums by Tool, 311, Survivor and "Weird Al" Yankovic...
, 1998 - Garage A TroisGarage A TroisGarage A Trois is a quartet including drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist Skerik, vibraphone and percussionist Mike Dillon and keyboardist Marco Benevento. They play a variety of music including rock, funk and jazz.- History :...
- "MysteryfunkMysteryfunkMysteryfunk is the first EP by Garage A Trois released in 1999. It is a 45 rpm 12 inch vinyl record. The recordings were taken completely improvised, live and with no overdubs, or samples at Magazine Studios during the February 1998 recording of Stanton Moore's debut solo release All Kooked...
" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1999 - Papa MaliPapa MaliMalcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne is an American slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter who grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, and is based in Austin, Texas....
- "Thunder Chicken" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1999 - Robert Walter's 20th Congress - "Money Shot" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2000 - MOFROMOFROJJ Grey & MOFRO is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida composed of JJ Grey , Andrew Trube , Anthony Farrell , Anthony Cole and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion , Art Edmaiston JJ Grey & MOFRO (formerly billed just as Mofro) is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern...
- "BlackwaterBlackwater (MOFRO album)- Personnel :* Chris Belcher – Photography* Jim DeVito – Engineer* Siemy Di – Drums* John Grey – Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Group Member* Daryl Hance – Dobro, Guitar, Group Member* Kevin Ink – Mixing, Mixing Engineer* Kenneth Lee – Mastering...
" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2001 - MOFROMOFROJJ Grey & MOFRO is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida composed of JJ Grey , Andrew Trube , Anthony Farrell , Anthony Cole and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion , Art Edmaiston JJ Grey & MOFRO (formerly billed just as Mofro) is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern...
- "LochloosaLochloosaLochloosa is the second studio album by the Jacksonville, Florida based band MOFRO. The album was inspired by Lochloosa Lake, which embodies the natural part of the Florida heartland that the band often talks about in their songs.-Track listing:...
" - 2004 - Robert Walter - "In A Holiday Groove" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2004 - Tim BluhmTim Bluhm-Biography:Tim Bluhm was born and raised in California. As the singer/guitarist and primary songwriter of rock band The Mother Hips, Bluhm has spent the last two decades performing, writing, collaborating on, and producing music....
- "California Way" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2005 - Etienne de RocherEtienne de RocherEtienne de Rocher is a Berkeley, California based singer songwriter who plays a unique style of indie rock.-External links:****...
- "Etienne de Rocher" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2006
Selected Discography (Enhanced CD Programming)
- GalacticGalacticGalactic is a funk and jazz jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Origins and background:Originally formed in 1994 as an octet and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a sextet of: guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio,...
- "Coolin' OffCoolin' OffCoolin' Off is the first studio album by the New Orleans, LA based band Galactic.-Track listing:All tracks by Galactic#"Go Go" – 3:02#"Welcome to New Orleans" – 0:14#"Something's Wrong With This Picture" – 5:56#"Funky Bird" – 4:57...
" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1996 - Stanton MooreStanton MooreStanton Moore is a drummer raised in Metairie, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity...
- "All Kooked Out!" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1998 - Papa MaliPapa MaliMalcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne is an American slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter who grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, and is based in Austin, Texas....
- "Thunder Chicken" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 1999 - Robert Walter's 20th Congress - "Money Shot" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2000 - MOFROMOFROJJ Grey & MOFRO is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida composed of JJ Grey , Andrew Trube , Anthony Farrell , Anthony Cole and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion , Art Edmaiston JJ Grey & MOFRO (formerly billed just as Mofro) is a soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern...
- "BlackwaterBlackwater (MOFRO album)- Personnel :* Chris Belcher – Photography* Jim DeVito – Engineer* Siemy Di – Drums* John Grey – Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Group Member* Daryl Hance – Dobro, Guitar, Group Member* Kevin Ink – Mixing, Mixing Engineer* Kenneth Lee – Mastering...
" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2001 - Tim BluhmTim Bluhm-Biography:Tim Bluhm was born and raised in California. As the singer/guitarist and primary songwriter of rock band The Mother Hips, Bluhm has spent the last two decades performing, writing, collaborating on, and producing music....
- "California Way" - Fog City RecordsFog City RecordsFog City Records is an independent record label based in San Francisco.Founded in 1996 by producer/engineer Dan Prothero, the label's first release was the highly successful "Coolin' Off" which launched the career of New Orleans based funk band Galactic...
, 2005
External links
- Biography
- [ Discography]
- Feature article