Miguel Morelli, a very good writer over at my online wifey, No Ripcord, has started a weekly news digest on the site. One of the things I read about on the initial post was the British Music Producers’ Guild Awards.

Top honor (which, I guess, acknowledges the year’s finest British producer) went to Bernard Butler. I haven’t listened to many of the high profile projects Butler has recently helmed (Duffy, Black Kids), but he did contribute to one of my favorite albums of last year, Tricky’s Knowles West Boy. Not only was this a highly entertaining album, but kind of a profound sentimental victory for many, like me, who hold Tricky’s work throughout the ’90s to be among the best of it’s time. It is wonderful for him to release a decent album again, and I applaud Butler for facilitating that process. Some of you may remember Butler as a member of Suede, the sleaziest of the ’90s Britpoppers. Ask Ty Bliss about them, he’s into that shit.

Bernard Butler, reformed Britpop sleazer and British producer of the year.

Brian Eno collected the trophy, which I gather is a lifetime achievement type of award. It seems redundant to address Eno’s importance to pop music and production, but go ahead and look him up on wikipedia if you want to read a good, mind boggling entry. I really don’t think the “Eno Is God” graffiti formerly popular in London and New York were hyperbolic. Eno’s work and wisdom stretch beyond the realm of music into philosophy and general art theory. His Oblique Strategies are highly recommendable to working artists and hobbyists alike.

God (Eno)

Also, Danger Mouse copped the International Producer of the year prize. You know him. Jemeni, Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz, etc. Not terribly innovative, but damn good and a fine wingman.

Danger Mouse