Simon Harris is predominantly known as the founder of the record labelMusic of Life and producer of most of its catalogue of songs, although he is also a DJ, producer, remixer and electronic musician.
Biography
Originally from London, England, Harris is a producer of sample-basedbreakbeat and house music. As a remixer, music label owner and producer, Harris has worked with Pete Tong, Simon Cowell, James Brown, Prince, Joyce Sims, Norman Cook, Paul Oakenfold, Tony! Toni! Toné!, War, Arthur Baker, Boyz II Men, Heatwave, as well as Steve "Silk" Hurley. Originally a DJ, Harris started selling professional audio equipment in London's Tottenham Court Road, then became a club promoter. In 1983, Harris was invited to become one of the original remixers for Tony Prince's DMC. Harris then joined forces with the late BBC Radio 1DJ Froggy and produced remixes for major labels including Polydor, Chrysalis, A&M, EMI, BMG, Columbia, Island, London and eventually PRT for The Real Thing's "You to Me Are Everything" remix. In 1986, Harris and Froggy started their own independent label 'Music of Life'. The label was initially distributed by Morgan Khan's 'Streetwave' group and the first releases were from Cerrone and La Toya Jackson. Within a short time, Froggy left to pursue other projects and Music of Life became one of the UK's first rap/hip-hop labels, initially licensing US products, and then with Harris producing many British rap artists including Derek B, followed by Daddy Freddy, MC Duke, Tenor Fly, Hijack, Demon Boyz, and Einstein who later rapped on "Supermarioland" for Harris's Ambassadors of Funk project. Sister label 'Living Beat' releases include Samantha Fox, Rolf Harris, Dina Carroll, Jocelyn Brown and Joyce Sims. Also, via Germany's Edel Group, Harris remixed "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" by Prince. Harris has produced many breakbeat albums designed for DJs and producers, including Beats, Breaks and Scratches in 12 volumes. Other artists who produced similar albums for Music of Life include Paul Oakenfold, George Clinton and Norman Cook. Harris continued to remix and produce for many artists. Simon Cowell commissioned him to remix Sinitta's "Window Shopping" for his Fanfare label, and shortly thereafter, Pete Tong signed Harris as an artist to his Polygram FFRR label. The first release was a rap version of Michael Jackson's "Bad". This was followed by "Bass " which achieved U.S. Billboard Dance number one status. FFRR released Harris's Bass album next followed by more singles including Marshall Jefferson's " Pleasure Control" and "Here Comes That Sound".
Summary
Producer and performer of Billboardnumber one hit "Bass.
Producer of "Supermarioland" and other Nintendo related releases with the involvement of Mario's creator Shigeru Miyamoto.
Founder of British hip hop label Music of Life with hundreds of productions involving new British, US and Jamaican rap and reggae artists, released in over 70 countries. Music of Life was founded in 1986 with vinyl single and album releases followed by CD releases.
Remixer for many artists and music companies and commissioned by Simon Cowell for Sinitta remix, projects with Norman Cook, Arthur Baker, War, James Brown, George Clinton, the first Elvis Presley dance mix, Tony! Toni! Toné! and for Prince's "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World".
Produced fusion of reggae and hip hop with Asher D and Daddy Freddy, "Ragamuffin Hip Hop" in 1987 with the initial release on US label Profile followed by Chrysalis.
Guest speaker and judge at dance music seminars and conventions including DMC world DJ championships.
Producer of Beats Breaks and Scratches series of albums – breakbeat and sample album series.
DJ/demonstrator of JBL speaker systems at London's APRS.
Work featured by the BBC and other British broadcasters.
Recent career
Harris has sustained a 30+-year production career. His work is varied and has included music video, radio and TV commercial production and several TV documentaries including Run-D.M.C. and REM!X.
