Breaking a prolonged silence, one of the eighties' most successful solo pop songwriters talks to Tim Goodyer about his new home, his new album, and an ever-expanding collection of synthesisers.

Howard Jones was the first keyboard player to successfully exploit the new technology to the full by regularly performing solo concerts with nothing but MIDI instruments as his backing band. In this rare interview, Brian Jacobs talks to Howard about his music, recording, his decision to produce most of his new album himself, and his growing admiration for an instrument he once said he would never use.

Synthing with Mr Jones.

Learn about Arif Mardin, Glenn Miller, Afrodiziak, DX7s, PCM70s, 9000s, and "One On One".

UK chart success may have been elusive of late but Howard Jones' continued popularity in the States has brought its rewards — an SSL-equipped 48-track home studio. Interview by Paul Tingen.

and The Sample Of Doom

common sense and uncommon synths

The Jones boy finally agrees to talk to us. Tony Horkins plays the diplomatic attaché

Question: What do Phil Collins, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan and David Bowie have in common? Answer: They have all recorded with Arif Mardin, one of the world's top record producers. Robin Tolleson chats to the man himself...

Producer of Howard Jones' best-selling album, 'Human's Lib', talks about the making of the record and his approach to production.

The Rupert Hine Approach to Record Producing

You may be surprised to learn that as a producer, Rupert Hine has some sixty-five albums credited to him, though it is only in recent times that his name has started to mean anything outside of the record business. Something that has come about largely through his successful associations with Howard Jones and Tina Turner. David Etheridge chatted to him in the studio about his career to date and his approach to record production.

One of Britain's most versatile producers talks about working with Howard Jones, forming a new band, and the importance of communication. Paul Tingen listens.

Back in 1985, Propaganda made an astonishing debut with 'Dr. Mabuse' and the classic album 'A Secret Wish'. After years of silence, a split with ZTT records, and the departure of three-quarters of the original line-up, Michael Mertens is back with a new-look Propaganda, and feeds the party line to Nigel Humberstone.

Sleuth journalist Tim Goodyer tracks down video nasties Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in a disreputable part of town. Raymond Chandler would turn in his grave.

Synth-pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark talk to Dan Goldstein about the twists and turns in their musical development, and how they managed to make their new album, Junk Culture, sound more acoustic through the use of computer instruments.

Solo synthesist Thomas Leer has gone from Stylo phone to Fairlight in four easy stages. He tells Dan Goldstein how it was done.

Jan Hammer Talks Tech

The Fixx are big in American. Chris Holland-Hill, who's big in Hemel Hempstead, finds out why.

how Green is my new band and album

Alphabet Coup

the importance of being alphabetical

cooling out in the South of France

Wayne Hussey divulges all about the gear behind the Gothic grind

By ignoring the charts and treating dance music as a live phenomenon, Adamski has won himself a huge following and a chart placing. Simon Trask talks about the live applications of studio music.

An exclusive look inside Genesis' private studio retreat deep in the heart of Surrey.

There can be few musicians who've amassed such a huge collection of synthesisers as the ex-Buggles keyboardist. Paul Wiffen talks to him about his machines, and finds he still finds a use for most of them.

At the forefront of independent synthesis