This is the fifth of a 10-part series on ‘Generation Next’ of Jamaican music producers.

THOUGH he is part of the digital age of music production, Phillip McFarlane is an old soul at heart.

McFarlane, a keyboardist with the EarthKry Band, is a budding engineer/producer in the mould of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Lloyd ‘King Jammys’ James and Bobby ‘Bobby Digital’ Dixon.

Like them, the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts graduate got hands-on training about studio techniques before branching out into production with his Irie Yute Records.

“I have not released any songs on the label as yet as I am currently sorting out the legal side of the business. However, I have many songs recorded and ready to go as soon as the foundation is solid enough,” McFarlane, 27, told Splash. “The singers I will be working with on the label are young artistes, but they are extremely talented. I am very excited about the projects that will come soon.”

Tori Latore, Kristen Grenyion, Jermain Blake, Zuggo Don, Dal-Wayne, Yasmin Brown, Judi Emmanuel, A-Game and Elan are some of the artistes he has worked with to date. Irie Yute Records’ first releases are expected in early 2016.

From Mile Gully, St Mary, McFarlane says he has been doing ‘bedroom producing’ since his years at Ocho Rios High School.

“However, I was not satisfied with the quality. So I went on to Edna Manley College to further my talent in playing the piano and develop my arranging skills,” he said. “I also wanted to understand music technology more,for example midi, sampling, routing, recording and mixing. It got me so interested, that I started mixing songs. The more I did it, the more I wanted to learn.”

Most of what he has learned so far is at the hallowed Harry J Studio in St Andrew, where landmark Wailers albums like Catch a Fire were recorded.

With longtime resident engineer/producer Steven Stewart as mentor, McFarlane has worked on productions by Junior Reid, Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Sly Dunbar, Marcia Griffiths, Raging Fyah, Judy Mowatt, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and Kevin Downswell as well as European acts.

“I just don’t want to be a beatmaker/ producer. I take every detail in consideration, from key of songs, melody, lyrics, frequency, drum sound, horns arrangement, harmony, the mix and mastering,” he said.

In terms of engineer/producers, McFarlane’s biggest influences are Stewart, Perry, Jackie Mittoo, Clive Hunt and Quincy Jones.

— Howard Campbell