Articles by Errol Michael Henry Archives - i2 Music Group

‘Everything Must Change’ – Part 2 image

During 'Everything Must Change' (part 2) Errol Michael explains why talented people need to collaborate and share skills and information if they are to succeed in the brave new world of modern music.

‘Everything Must Change’ – Part 1 image

Errol Michael Henry explains how the music industry has undergone significant changes during recent years - and why those changes should be both celebrated and warmly embraced.

The Art of Strings image

Few things add more instant ‘feel good factor’ to a record than well arranged, performed and recorded strings. Great sounding strings and quality, authentic soul music go hand-in-hand, so getting that part of the production process right is quite essential. There are many variables to solve. Firstly: string players don’t simply turn-up and ‘play it by ear.’ There are good reasons for this. A solo violinist does not an orchestra make, so if anything remotely elaborate is to be attempted: an orchestration must first be written in great detail - so that the many different players (1st violin, 2nd violin, violas, cello and bass) all know what they should be doing at any given moment. Secondly: even if you have ...

The Credit Card Never Lies – part 1 image

One of the great wonders of life is humankind’s ability to invent new ways to profit from old ideas. Mobile phones are a common sight these days and people can pretty much communicate with whomever they want to – whenever they want to. They pay a nominal fee to their phone provider for the privilege of access to a ‘network.’ Many years ago telegrams were how people moved information across vast distances. Before that, people delivered hand-written notes (we call it text messaging now) but the essential principle remains the same. Despite the constantly evolving technology, what people essentially do really hasn’t changed much through the ages. I hear cries of derision from people who are convinced that people didn’t ...

Black to The Future – part 2 image

Back in the dark ages, one ignorant, lazy, egotistical person (who was quite possibly racist, sexist, ageist and moronic too) could pretty much decide the fate of someone else’s’ career – thank the heavens those days are long gone. Much of the rapid growth in internet speed and efficiency was driven by the porn industry, yet despite its dubious heritage, internet speed has made the movement, creation, manipulation, marketing, sales and general monetisation of music more possible than at any time in history. While many people bemoan the death of the old establishment, I celebrate the endless possibilities that new technology affords us all. If black music acts of yester year were born in this age, all talk of ...

Black to The Future – part 1 image

The debate about the reasons why purveyors of what is broadly (and often lazily) categorised as ‘black music’ have fared less well than creators of less ‘ethnic’ music - has raged long and hard for many a year. Some cite racism, while others claim fiscal imbalances or social divisions as the central cause. The simple truth is less complicated and is perhaps even less attractive. The real problems for black music began when people started calling it that! There are a substantial number of people who swear that Elvis Presley was the king of rock and roll – Chuck Berry might have a very different point of view. The Rolling Stones, The Beatles (Little Richard called and wants his ‘oohs’ ...

i2 Recordings Welcomes A2MG and Phillippia image

i2 Recordings have signed a long-term agreement with A2MG for the services of Atlanta based songstress Phillippia. Legendary UK producer and i2 Recordings label boss Errol Michael Henry says: "When Bernard (i2's A&R Executive for the USA/North American Division) first sent me a recording of Phillippia I was just blown away. I get sent demos all of the time and very few give me any reason to stop what I am already doing. When I heard Phillippia's voice I immediately called Bernard and asked him to get her on the phone. I spoke to Phillippia and her husband Mac at some length and offered them a deal right there and then. I was already well down the road with producing the new Sound ...

‘The Art of Music Production’ – Part 1 image

'The Art of Music Production' by Errol Michael Henry explains the pivotal, but little understood role played by world-class producers like Quincy Jones, Maurice White and Arif Mardin in the creation of excellent music.