BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 
Abbey Road – Electric Ladyland – The Powerstation – Muscle Shoals – Air …

 

Before they were platinum selling acts or albums, they were recording studios “the castles” of the recording industry. They were Landmarks of Music Culture – A veritable Melting Point where so much that is been revered had gone before. But their story often remains over-looked, urban development and the demise of the labels consigning many of these building to a grave yard of memories.

 

However, their significance and influence cannot be underrated — nor will there ever again be such Iconic Thrones of Technology, Service and Creativity.

 

Having spent a life in the pursuit of health, wealth and audio superiority there are many experiences to recall the Halcyon Days of the Analogue Industry.

 

Expensive, Cumbersome, Elitist and with No Guarantee of anything more than a fleeting adolescent memory, every studio saw ten times more misery than the type of accolades I have received.

 

But it was as a creative default where there was the hidden energy, a place to check-in only the essential of what was required. “We will sort it when we get to the studio, but not here !”

 

They hosted the gathering of clans, and some were as exclusives as a ticket to a royal toilet. As my dear old Dad once put it, “I can see why you like spending so much time in the studio… it’s set-up like a bloody Gastro Pub.”

 

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

BERNARD EDWARDS  – He wrote the most famous bass-line of all-time – Many have tried to walk in his boots but NOBODY had the groove & the McCartney down like the brother Bernard.

 

‘Good Times’, with it’s unique bass-line, became the foundation for many rap artist records including ‘Rappers Delight’ by the Sugar-hill Gang and ‘Catch The Beat’ by T Ski Valley. Never underestimate the value of the bass-man, there’s was groove & then there was Bernard Edwards.

 

Sadly Bernard passed away in May 2005 shortly after a CHIC concert in Tokyo & while he was mixing the 2nd Powerstation Album, a great friend, a true mentor, & if you worked on a session with him then you would understand the meaning of – no margin for bullshit.

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

 

NILE RODGERS – He’s produced some of the most successful artists in the world form Bowie to Mad-Madge, Duran to Clapton very few don’t have a small portion of Nile in the repertoire-

 

There’s producers & then there’s Nile Rodgers, peerless in his class with a gift for the radio classic that few could emulate & to say he was a mountain of energy, blessed energy’ is modest in its accolade.

 

When you think of Nile you can’t help but think “Freak Out”. The studio 54 classic that came to define the Disco era, Nile like his work is enduring,  individual delivered with compelling energy.

 

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

ALEX SADKIN - When I was looking for pictures of Alex I came across this on of him working with Bob Marley. I though it spoke in volumes about the man’s integrity and how respected he was by the artists he worked with. Alex was famously known for his work at Compass Point & with artists associated with Island records, such as (Grace Jones, Marianne Faithfull, Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker.

 

He first worked with DD on  mixing “Is There Something I Should Know” at RAK Studios London & the co-produced DD album-3. Sadly he died tragically in a motor accident in Nassau at the age of 38, just before he was due to begin working with Ziggy Marley.

 

The Duran Duran song “Do You Believe In Shame”, Robbie Neville’s “Gone Too Soon” and Grace Jones’ “Well Well Well” are dedicated to his memory.

 

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

 

COLIN THURSTON – Colin was the first choice for Producer on Duran Albums 1 & 2. His work with Bowie & The Human League were possibly the most influential reasons for this choice, however DD always felt that their particular method was better tested with a producer/engineer as the band had matured ideas regarding how DD would sound.

 

Colin was very versatile with equipment, he could work on most boards, MCI, Trident & the new Neve in Air Studio One, which was the bedrock of the sound on the seminal DD album RIO.

 

Nobody has quite captured the real quality of Duran’s hybrid concoction since, Colin not only interpreted it, but was a key influence in the sound of the 80′s, recognising that bands still required the feel & touch of the  players with the technology as the style-kit. Sadly Colin passed away in 2007, leaving a catalogue of work that defined an era.

 

 

 

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

 

BOB LAMB - Moseley 1980 the acrid smell of Bed-Sit Roaches, the Bunk-Bed above the equipment, the home made “Kit Desk” & the Rolland Space Echo. This is where UB40 recorded their first Album. This is where Duran Duran found their sound.

 

Bob Lamb was was best known as the drummer in The Steve Gibbons Band, a local 70′s blues outfit who’s singer “Steve” was the beau of DD designer Patti Belle, funk old connections both way with TSGB.

 

I think Bob, although immensely gifted was happier away from London in his beloved Mosley bed/studio… Making great records in your bedroom is nothing new, Bob was doing it over 30-years ago – Jah

 

 

BEHIND EVERY STUDIO LIES A LEGEND

 

ROY THOMAS BAKER - What can you say about this man that hasn’t already been said. I first met Roy in LA 1986 & was of course intrigued because of the early Queen records & The Cars.

 

These guys come from an era of Technology that could be termed as “The Lost Art of Production”… The fundamentals of Microphones & Amplifiers, Harmonic Distortion, Vinyl Mastering, Window Editing of 2″ tape…

 

I guess there are some digital solutions that are capable of replacing the quality of an analogue signal & when you’ve been on a session with Roy you get the “Masterclass” in how to smash it to tape.