Prophet

Prophet is the high-spirited machine funk alias of Anthony Butler. The underground musician debuted in the '80s with a privately pressed full-length and found a home for a follow-up over 30 years later on the revered Stones Throw label. Butler, born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, learned to play several instruments as a youngster. During his senior year of high school, he earned an all-state honor. After graduation, he headed to the Bay Area, where he played with a military band and then a group that performed extensively with all-covers sets. Butler eventually went off on his own and recorded original material primarily by himself, utilizing a drum machine and synthesizer. After he unsuccessfully angled for label interest, he self-released a solo debut, Right on Time, in 1984. Butler continued to perform with an assortment of acts, most notably Henry Turner, Jr. & Flavor following a late-'90s return to Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, Right on Time found an audience with a small group of serious record collectors. Through the Beat Electric label with distribution from Peoples Potential Unlimited, the album was reissued in 2013. At a record fair, Butler crossed paths with Peanut Butter Wolf -- one of a few fanatics with an original copy -- and was subsequently added to the roster of the DJ's Stones Throw label. Set up with fellow Stones Throw artist Mndsgn at the label's recording studio, Butler recorded his second widely available full-length, Wanna Be Your Man, released in 2018. The album featured a new version of the debut's "Tonight" with Nite Jewel. ~ Andy Kellman