SONIA Pottinger, the local music producer who last year made headlines when she won a landmark court ruling for the rights to the rich Treasure Isle recording catalogue, died last Wednesday evening.

The pioneering record producer celebrated her 79th birthday in June this year. She died peacefully at her Circle Close, Trafalgar Park home in Kingston, plunging the music industry into a second round of mourning following on the death of Reggae icon Gregory Isaacs two weeks ago and Keith Stewart from the duo Keith and Enid.

Reflecting on her contribution to the local music industry, musicologist Bunny Goodison rated her highly for her courage and foresight to go up against the giant record producers at the time.

“Ms Pottinger, I rate her highly. For her to enter the music scene at the time she did, going up against the giant record producers in Coxsone and Duke Reid, required tremendous courage. And the kind of music that she produced was unquestioned. They have stood the test of time,” Goodison told the Sunday Observer.

And Ken Boothe, for whom she produced two of his timeless hits in Say You and Lady with the Starlight, remembered her as someone who understood the music business and could spot a winner easily. “She was always in the studio with us during recording sessions and she had a great sense of music and what was going on,” said the artiste dubbed Mr Rocksteady.

In extending his condolences to her family, broadcaster Richie B — who bestowed on her his Role Model Award at his Excellence in Music and Entertainment Award earlier this year — said he was saddened to learn of her passing. He further stated that his pain is lightened by the fact he was able to honour her while she was alive.

Pottinger, who was recognised with an Order of Distinction for her contribution to the development of local music, is known internationally for her record labels Highnote, Gayfeet and Glory Music.

Approximately a year ago, Pottinger — who had been ailing for sometime — won a Supreme Court case making her the rightful owner of the Treasure Isle recording catalogue previously owned by its late founder, the legendary record producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid.

She won the legal battle over the Jamaica Recording and Publishing Studio Limited (the famed Studio One founded and operated by the late Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd, arch-rival to Duke Reid) who was first defendant. Second defendant was Anthony Reid, son of Duke Reid; Treasure Isle Records International Limited (the company started by Duke Reid’s son) was the third defendant; and Edward ‘Bunny’ Lee, the fourth defendant.

Pottinger opened Tip Top record shop in 1965 and started producing artistes from the following year until the mid-1980s. The widow of Lyndon Pottinger (a former record producer) about this time last year secured an Internet distribution deal with the US-based Independent Online Distribution Alliance.

The first single Pottinger issued was Every Night by Joe White and Chuck. Other artistes recorded during this period include Roland Alphonso. Throughout the rocksteady and early reggae eras, she became a very prolific producer for with Melodians (Swing And Dine), Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis and Toots & the Maytals.