Cevin Fisher (born Kevin Fisher) was born in East Orange, New Jersey on October 26, 1963, and passed away on October 29, three days after his 63rd birthday, following a brief illness with cancer. In case you’re unfamiliar with his work, you should be. Here’s 10 tracks to get you started:
Club Zanzibar
He started out playing records in his father’s bar in New Jersey as a teenager. There were college gigs after that, and by 17 he had a residency at the famous Club Zanzibar in Newark, the room where Tony Humphries and Kerri Chandler were also learning their trade.
In the late ’80s he moved to New York and went behind the desk: engineering at Arthur Baker’s Shakedown Sound Studios, then session work that led to remixes for Chaka Khan and Quincy Jones. Danny Tenaglia talked him into making his own records instead of finishing other people’s.
By the time the UK charts noticed him, he had been at it for a decade. The early singles, “House Is a Feeling” as Sunday School, “Hands on Love”, “The Way We Used To” and “Shine the Light”, followed Tony Humphries and Larry Heard more closely than they followed whatever was in the charts that month.
The Freaks Come Out
1998 was the year it broke wider. “The Freaks Come Out”, credited to Cevin Fisher’s Big Freak, was licensed to at least five labels and made his name in the big rooms. It reached #34 in the UK.
A year later he went higher. “(You Got Me) Burnin’ Up”, built on a Loleatta Holloway vocal, reached #14, the biggest of five UK Top 75 entries between October 1998 and February 2001. “Music Saved My Life”, “It’s a Good Life” with Ramona Keller and “Love You Some More” with Sheila Smith followed, along with the 2000 album Underground 2000.
After the hits
He kept releasing through the 2000s and 2010s, on Strictly Rhythm, Big Love, Olmeto, Nettwerk, Nervous, Toolroom, Defected, Subliminal and Glasgow Underground, and on his own Import Tracks. Along the way he worked with the likes of D.Ramirez, Prok & Fitch, David Morales, David Guetta (as Jack Back), Layo & Bushwacka and Seamus Haji.
He also kept working with the people he came up with. “Move That Body”, co-produced with Tenaglia in 2023, put the two of them back in a studio together. The last two years were busier than most of the decade before them: “Feeling All The Pressure” with Angelica de No and the solo “Everyday” in 2025, then “Work It Out” this year.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa, his children (Stephanie, Cindi, Nikko and Tiffany), his stepsons (Jose and Tomas), his siblings (Roslyn, Rene, Rodney and Ronold), and his niece (Nicole). Our condolences to them.
Tributes
Danny Tenaglia:
Cevin was a very special person. I’m still in shock. It was just about 24 hours ago that I was playing his production of “Try Again” on Celeda’s LP, for my manager Gui and saying how it should’ve been a massive hit. I will make a very special and personal post soon to share much more of his music, his talent and our friendship and studio work together. The #1 thing I can quickly recall is how much laughter we had. I mean, the kind that makes your belly hurt. Rest in peace dear friend / icon. Your legacy will live on forever!
Danny Rampling:
Much loved by us all. Thank you for all the wonderful music brother. Heartfelt condolences to family & close friends.
Ultra Nate:
This is so awful to hear! Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends. May God give you all comfort at this time. Rest easy my friend.
Mark Knight:
I honestly can’t believe this, I am heartbroken. Cevin was one the nicest most genuine people I have ever meet. You left a legacy brother that will live on. Rest well my friend.
Louie Vega:
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cevin. We will remember him, so kind, humble and super talented. We love you Cevin. Rest in peace.
