‘Fattis’ Burrell lauded in song

A full house showed up Friday at South Beach Café in St Andrew to pay homage to Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell, the music producer who operated the Xterminator label.

Burrell died in December 2011 at age 57. Irie FM disc jockey Elise Kelly was among those who saluted Burrell.

“Through his music he demonstrated that ‘rebel’ music could be done without one losing their dignity. Also he had the ability to spot the next big star and he was very loyal to those around him,” she said.

Dubbed ‘The Resistance’, the event saw performances from former Xterminator artiste Sizzla Kalonji and upcoming acts Jessie Royal, Jah 9 and Kayla Bliss, all protegés of Burrell.

They were backed by the Firehouse Crew and veteran session guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith.

Sizzla had high praise for his mentor, referring to him as a supporter of authentic reggae music. Among the songs he did for the packed venue were Holding Firm, Simplicity, Show us The Way, and Ain’t Gonna See us Fall.

‘The Resistance’ was promoted by Kareem Burrell, son of the late producer. The younger Burrell is head of XTM Nation Records and also oversees the Xterminator catalogue.

Phillip Burrell came to prominence as a producer 30 years ago. The Xterminator label released some of the biggest hit songs out of Jamaica during the 1980s and 1990s and nurtured the careers of neoroots singers Ini Kamoze, Luciano and Sizzla.

Luciano’s 1995 album, Where There is Life, is arguably Burrell’s finest production.

(from Jamaica Observer)