Chris Birkett has been involved in producing, engineering, writing and playing music since the 1970s.
His collaborations have sold more than 100 million records world-wide over the last 30 years. He started his musical career as a guitarist for well-known Memphis artists:
Rufus Thomas, Ann Peebles, Gene Knight and King Floyd.....
He then signed a major deal as an artist with Tony Visconti's Good Earth records. His career has since expanded to include the production, engineering and mixing of many UK and international hits.
Working with A&R Legend Nigel Grainge of Ensign Records, (Bob Geldof,Sinead O Connor,The Water boys,Thin Lizzy), led Chris to Producing Sinead O Connor, Buffy Saint Marie and Laurie Freelove.
His first solo artist single "Where do we go from here", was included on the Polygram album One Voice One Love alongside other artists U2, Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits, Bob Marley, Tears for fears and Queen. The royalties for this song were donated to raise money for the CARE international charity for Africa. Chris is also the founder member of Cry Sisco (Affro Dizzi Act)........
Chris has received 2 Ampex Golden reel awards and many gold and platinum discs for his Production/Engineering work.
The Etran Finatawa album recorded at his studio in France in 2006 was Nominated for the BBC 3 World Music awards and has also received an award for Best album of 2006 by Songlines Magazine.
During their two-month tour of Europe, they had the pleasure to record with Chris in his studio in St Emilion/Bordeaux SW France.
"Meeting and working with Chris, who has a great respect and knowledge of culturel music, was fabulous".
"The recording was easy-going, as Chris opted for a kind of live recording, with the whole band in the same room".
This resulting album is testament to the band's talents, incorporating the rich and different traditions and sounds of the Wodaabe and Tuareg people. Without diffusing their cultural identities, they have joined forces to produce an album of rare and powerful beauty.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Sinead O Connor____Co-Prod Nothing compares 2 U (No.1 International Single)....
I do not want ..Album (No. 1 International album)....
Buffy Saint-Marie____Co-Prod Coincidence and likely stories Album....
Up Where We Belong Album....
The Pogues____Mix/Eng Johnny come lately Album track....
Sierra Maestra (Buena Vista social club)____Prod/Eng/Mix Rumbero Soy Album....
Talitha McKenzie____Prod/arr/mix Solas and Spirod Albums....
Alison Moyet____Eng/Mix That ole devil called love (No.1 UK Single)
Love Letters Single....
Guo Yue & Joji Hirota____Prod/Mix Red Ribbon Album.......
Steve Earl____Eng/prog/mix Copperhead Road Album....
Dexys Midnight Runners____Eng/Mix Geno (No.1 UK single)....
The Soul Brothers____Prod/remix Soul Mbaqanga Album....
Siedah Garrett____Writer/prog(Produced by Quincy Jones) Kiss of Life Album title track....
Cry Cisco____Artist/Prod/Writer Affro Dizzy Act Single (Top 10 UK Club single)....
Thomas Dolby____Eng/mix The Golden age of wireless Album....
Talking Heads____Eng/mix Nothing but Flowers Album track....
5 Star____Eng/Mix Silk and Steel (Top 10 UK Album)....
Chris has also collaborated, both in and out of the studio with the following: Led Zeppelin, The Kane Gang, Dexys Midnight runners, Hans Zimmer; Randy Newman, Jean-Baptist Mondino, Alain Chamfort, Zazie, Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Osibisa, The Bible, Mica Paris, Trevor Horn, Mutt Langer, Mel Brooks, John Otway, Michael Winslow, Def Leopard and many many more.
I hope you are well... since all this time. Here you are, my new album is in shops (it's an expression which we will not use for very long time, I'm afraid !!) since october the26 th... ... and I've to say that I'm very proud of it !!
Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is a right and duty. In it each one has a place in this beautiful family, which the Epiphany brightens for us with God's light. - Father C, Romero 8 February 1978
hi chris, we chatted a long time ago. i was just checking in and listening to your tracks. as always, you have inspiring choices all sprinkled throughout. makes me want to start writing again. :) regards, bernadette
Just dropping by to say Hi and see what you’re up to and how you are doing.
As always, wishing you well. Stay positive, productive & purpose driven.
Peace
Michael
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