Supersize

Young British sound engineer Mike Pelancoli was first exposed to reggae as a teenager wandering the bustling West Indian markets of Shepherd’s Bush on hot summer days. Amid stalls selling produce, housewares, and trinkets, Jamaican soundmen would set up shop, filling the air with reggae. Before long, Pelancoli was helping engineer reggae sides at London’s Lion Studios, where he rubbed elbows with reggae luminaries like Roy Shirley, Yellowman, and Little Roy. In 2005, Pelancoli cut a bubbling roots-style reggae instrumental called “Nina’s Dance” under the name Prince Fatty. The tune was part of a promotion for the California-based clothing brand Stussy and was an instant underground success. A series of similar singles followed in the wake of “Nina’s Dance,\" and a Prince Fatty full-length, *Survival of the Fattest*, emerged in 2008. *Supersize* is Prince Fatty’s second proper full-length and his most focused by far. With the help of a formidable roster of reggae veterans (including many pals from his Lion Studios days, like Little Roy and Winston Francis), Prince Fatty tackles a compelling mix of reggae standards and original tunes.

The second album from reggae master Prince Fatty. As well as versions of favourite reggae and soul songs, two tracks stand out: covers of Ol' Dirty Bastard's Shimmy Shimmy Ya and Cypress Hill's Insane in the Brain. "I was sad when Ol' Dirty passed away and for me the great hip hop era ended with him. I cut the version of Shimmy Shimmy Ya soon after he died. As a tribute we often hold a minute's silence when Horseman and I perform it live. We did Insane In The Brain for fun as we had a show supporting Madness. The nutty boys challenged us to a sound clash and they lost. Though we played a dirty hand, they were gracious in defeat." The vocal line-up on the album also include Hollie Cook - Slits singer, daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and fellow Mr Bongo signing. Also on the album is a dub of That Very Night that features on Hollies debut album.