The Music Producers Guild, in association with Dolby and Mix With The Masters, has announced music producer and founder of XL Recordings, Richard Russell, as the winner of its MPG Inspiration Award sponsored by Audio Note.
Russell is behind the collaborative music project and album, Everything Is Recorded, bringing together the likes of Sampha, Obongjayar, Ibeyi, Giggs and Kamasi Washington, and he has worked on projects with Damon Albarn, co-producing his debut solo album Everyday Robots. The pair also co-produced Bobby Womack’s comeback album, The Bravest Man In The Universe. Russell produced Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 record I’m New Here, collaborated with Peter Gabriel on Four Kinds Of Horses, and most recently produced the debut album from actress Samantha Morton entitled Daffodils & Dirt.
With a career that spans over three decades, Russell has worked with acts including Radiohead, The XX, Adele, MIA, The Prodigy and Dizzee Rascal.
“Whether in the studio or guiding from behind the scenes, Richard Russell continues to inspire through his fearless approach to creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic freedom,” said MPG executive director Anu Pillai. “The MPG is proud to honour a visionary whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the evolution and trajectory of contemporary music; from Kicks Like A Mule, to Everything Is Recorded, via Young and countless highlights in between.”
The MPG Inspiration Award will be presented to Russell at the MPG's annual awards ceremony at The Troxy on Thursday, April 24.
