Over the last three decades John McLaughlin has done more than anybody else in popular jazz and rock music to explore the potential of the guitar, both acoustic and electric. Here he talks to Mark Prendergast about his eclectic career, pioneering use of guitar synthesizers, and the Synclavier.

In praise of the man and his music

What goes twang, thump and pank? Probably Mark King, bass player and vocalist in Level 42, then again it might just be his right thumb. We discuss digits, strings and things.

A journey through the musical world of this well respected guitarist

Talks guitars, amps and playing to Tony Bacon

In an exclusive interview, this longstanding keyboard hero and Miami Vice music maestro discusses keyboard technique, and what it’s like to achieve mass recognition after years of obscurity. Annabel Scott takes note.

Power Station, NYC

We visit the world-renowned studio, and talk to owner and producer Tony Bongiovi.

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

Frank Zappa is never short of a word or a thousand. In this case, there were so many, we had to make it a two-parter. In this first, Ralph Denyer finds out why Frank doesn't hate people (quite) and why London's one of the worst places on earth.

What made Milwaukee nauseous

The blurred fingers of the guitar star focussed by the blurred gaze of Richard Walmsley

Producer of Style Council, The Jam and Comsat Angels explains his working techniques in the studio, production skills and the ins and outs of various effects.

Paul Young's Royal Family

Guitarist Steve Bolton and bass player Pino Palladino explain the importance of being a Swedish Chef.

This month, Elka Eminent to Everitt Orgatron.

Into the Seventies

Synclavier

The updated Synclavier with new software. We take it for a test run.

An overview

Mark Prendergast presents a general overview of record labels, artists, and recordings that make up the exciting area of new electronic and experimental music in the late 1980s.

Marvel at previously unrevealed secrets of famous musical instruments and their inventors.

Assorted items of news, nonsense and things people wish they hadn't said.

All the things you never knew about putting flash wobbly bits into your guitar playing

Mark J. Prendergast explores the recording process that surrounded Peter Gabriel's new album 'Passion' and takes a peep inside Gabriel's Real World studio complex.

The Virgin Guide To New Music

Making tracks