originally published: 10/04/2022
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Longtime Englewood, New Jersey resident and highly regarded music producer, Allen George, is reaping great success from Beyonce's new single "Break My Soul," which became Billboard's #1 Hot 100 single. "Break My Soul" became a #1 single on multiple charts and formats, and she has George to credit. "Break My Soul." uses the production of "Show Me Love," produced by Allen George and his longtime production partner Fred McFarlane; the song was initially performed by singer Robin S. and released in 1990.
At that time, "Show Me Love" became a mega-dance anthem that sold more than three million copies and continues to be a fixture in dance clubs worldwide. It's the latest example of Allen Georgeand production partner Fred McFarlane's phenomenal, shared success over the past 40 years. Unfortunately, McFarlane passed away in 2016; however, his musical legacy remains present. The duo wrote numerous hit songs, fine-tuned, helped make stars of other artists, and enjoyed a new generation sampling their work.
Through songwriting, production credits, and sampling by other artists, Terrible Two Productionshave sold music in the multi-millions. Allen George is currently busy working with former Def Jam’sfirst lady of soul, Alyson Williams producing new songs for an upcoming soundtrack at Allen’s new studio, Digital Dump Recording located in Englewood, New Jersey.
Allen and McFarlane's admiration society includes once-in-a-generation, multi-threat talent Chris Brown and rap star Kid Ink, who in 2013 sampled "Show Me Love" in their song, "Show Me," which became the most played rap song on pop radio, dethroning Juvenile and selling over a million records. In 2012, pop/R&B idol Jason Derulo recorded his version of "Show Me Love." Derulo's "We Don't Wanna Go Home" went platinum and introduced Terrible Two Productions to a younger audience.
McFarlane was a child prodigy whose father, Fred McFarlane Sr., was a bassist for the legendary jazz musician Lionel Hampton. As a teenager, he played trumpet for the legendary Sonny Rollins. Allen George and Fred McFarlane hail from the Bronx, N.Y., where the future production and songwriting titans met as young teens and began their journey from kids to superstar hitmakers. Allen George, a self-taught bassist, played for Jimmy Thomas, a member of the Fatback Band and Jimmy Castor's keyboard player. He later learned about disco and the New York club scene from Steve Rubell, owner of the famed hotspot, Studio 54. Allen fostered a love for dance music.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
In 1981, George and McFarlane formed The Terrible Two Productions. Allen's first production work saw him taking the reins for The Rocker's tune, "Super Stuff," two years earlier. The first official Terrible Two production was "Hot Tasty Love" by the group Zest. In 1984, George and McFarlane's dedication and refusal to take no for an answer led them to convince established disco star Jocelyn Brown to enter the studio to record their song, "Somebody Else's Guy." It became a phenomenon on radio nationwide and The Terrible Two Production's first million-selling single. They journeyed to London to produce The Belle Stars' number one dance record, "World Domination."
Despite their three-decade career of producing and writing hit after hit together, Allen George now carries on their legacy of musical knowledge by starting a new company, Digital Dump Recording. With a long list of projects ahead for Allen George, his inspiration to create, produce, and bring amazing new music to the world continues in his already remarkable career.
COLUMNS
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts Taking Place from April 23-30, 2024
Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from April 23-30, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings.
