"Shiftwork 3" by John Fiddy
A slick early-'80s library music groove by a prolific figure in the genre.
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Born in London in 1944, the late John Fiddy was a prolific, multi-talented guitarist and bass player. His other roles included bandleader, conductor, producer, and writer. Discogs credits him with 37 albums and 468 total credits.
He released music on various library music labels, including the prestigious Bruton Music and KPM imprints. Many of his releases were featured on the Munich-based Sonoton label, where he worked extensively.
In 1982 Sonoton released Fiddy’s Suite In Oil And Steel. It’s a fascinating library record that seems geared toward documentary work centered on the oil and steel industries. The music is not easily classifiable - you’ll find electronic elements, funk and jazz, and orchestral arrangements. It makes for a very entertaining and sometimes uneven listen.
My personal pick is “Shitwork 3,” a soft and smooth number that falls into the last third of the record. The song features some polished electronic piano work by an unlisted musician (perhaps Fiddy?) and has a pretty, melancholy sound. Like many memorable library tracks, this one is on the shorter side and leaves you wanting more. I often hit repeat when I listen to it.
John Fiddy passed away in 2017. His legacy lives on through his impressive body of work. Though industrious sample-based artists seem to have found his recordings in recent years, there are plenty of untouched gems in his catalog waiting for rediscovery.
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