Stephen Hague has demonstrated considerable talent as a producer of classy electronic pop, riding the faders for the Pet Shop Boys and New Order. But his recent work on albums by Robbie Robertson and Siouxsie & The Banshees shows that he has more strings to his bow. Paul Tingen lends an ear.

Thomas Dolby is back after a four year break, without the mad professor image but with an excellent new album in Astronauts & Heretics, his most personal recording to date. Paul Tingen spoke to him about the long road from solo synthesist to globe-trotting collaborator.

Well established as sampling innovators, the Art Of Noise have just released their fourth LP. David Bradwell talks to the Art's JJ Jeczalik about Fairlights and fairplay.

Building his career on productions of Jennifer Warnes, Malcolm McLaren and the Communards, Stephen Hague has found his greatest success with The Pet Shop Boys. David Bradwell talks shop.

Urban Guerilla

Paul Tingen meets William Orbit, re-mix maestro and the man behind Bass-O-Matic.

10 years on, and nothing's changed, including Chris Holland-Hill's underwear

The Police skinsman explored darkest Africa recently and came back with samples, songs and stories galore. Adrian Deevoy takes the missionary position.

Anne Dudley rearranges the alphabet.

Bill lays bare his recording techniques and reveals the innermost secrets of his home studio 'The Echo Observatory' which has recently been upgraded to 16 track status. Now being used to record tracks fora forthcoming Nelson masterpiece.

A little-known American drummer who played on such classic recordings as 'Rappers' Delight' and 'The Message' talks to Dan Goldstein about "stretching" technology.

Visage's Rusty Egan reveals a change of face

Four years on from the successes of The Flat Earth, Thomas Dolby has moved to LA for his follow-up LP, Aliens Ate My Buick. Tim Goodyer discovers that aliens have a lot to say.

From his formative days experimenting with Torchsong, William Orbit has made good through his remixes and a new outfit called Bass-o-matic. Tim Goodyer watches time catch up with a techno-prophet.

It's not all drumstick and calf skin in the world of the percussionist, y'know. Andy Duncan emits a pleasing 'bong' when struck with a typewriter and discovers other household objects are just as musically compliant.

Adrian Deevoy goes larynx-in-hand to seek advice from Britain's most swinging singing teacher, Tona de Brett

Graeme Revell

SPK pick tracks

can you tell a real drummer?

if your music feels lacklustre, dabble in dance rhythms from the dark continent

New lines launched at Frankfurt

Record Deals

And how they are got. We talk to five recent getters of the said deals, and relay advice and tactics

Trevor Horn considered

burn for the best 12in mixes

words for the musician