Why does Stan file his fingers? Phil Bashe get the facts from The Man behind Slap'n' Pop...

talks to Ralph Denyer

Well... what can you say? You know how good he is and what a writer our Ralph D is. But don't let's give the game away: read on!

Guitar Maker

Colin Hodgkinson visits the Brooklyn guitar maker who numbers Stanley Clarke's piccolo bass among his artefacts.

The art of writing music for popular television in the last few years may have been single-handedly redefined by Jan Hammer. His upbeat, rocky soundtracks to the hit TV series 'Miami Vice' (along with a few of the chart hits used in the show) have now produced two albums of instrumental music. Ed Jones finds out how they were done.

Drums & more — guaranteed no puns about electrical goods!

Ex-Police drummer and self-styled 'tech-head' Stewart Copeland discusses the merits of owning four Fairlight CMIs, why he's in a group called Animal Logic, and how to write an opera. Logical questions: Nicholas Rowland.

Another exclusive in which Beck reveals his true colours

Steve Rosen unravels more of the mystery surrounding Beck.

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

Wrenched from video filming (with a ballerina no less) and quizzed on gear and blushes.

Patrick Leonard has a surprisingly low profile for the producer and cowriter of many of Madonna's biggest hits, but his production work and nascent solo career suggest that wider recognition is on the way. Paul Tingen meets a man of many talents and strong views.

Charlie Tumahai & Simon Fox

Be Bop Deluxe's drummer and bassist under the magnifying glass.

No doubting the Thomases from Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

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

Part 1 of a two part in-depth interview with Brian Eno and his latest collaborator Harold Budd.

As Mr Fingers and Fingers Inc, Chicago-based Larry Heard was instrumental in creating the house music movement. Simon Trask talks tech with him on the release of his first LP on a major label.

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.

Mr Bassman, boom boom, thwack thwack, talks exclusively, dang dang, chacker chacker, to Making Music, thock thock, thwackadang

From Jamerson to Joy Division, Chic to Kaye, this is the place of the bass.

Stanley Clarke & George Duke, Pat Benatar and AMM

Alembic is a word guaranteed to set bassists' teeth a-gnashing with envy. Steve York supplies the necessary.

Best Basslines

Ken Scott muses on his journey from Bowie to Kajagoogoo. Chas de Whalley listens attentively

Being a new section mainly for interesting and musical people of medium height: a little short for a feature but far too sturdy for a news item. Today, Weather Report refugee Alphonso Johnson and an instrument to gawp at and the curious Gruppo Sportivo (Q: Are we not Italian? A: We are Dutch).

Was the electric bass a logical outcome of the roots of Rock'n'roll or the very cause of its happening? Ken Achard examines the products of the visionary Leo Fender.