Somewhere Over the Water: Overwater's latest active Bass

Another exclusive in which Beck reveals his true colours

MIDI Percussion Voice Generator

Simon Trask confronts a technological puzzle. Why have Korg put 19 digital drum voices in a box that contains no sequencing software?

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

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

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.

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).

A super-spy comes clean, but the questions go on

Klaus Schulze & Rainer Bloss, Tim Souster

Steve Rosen unravels more of the mystery surrounding Beck.

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.

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.

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

No doubting the Thomases from Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

In a world that's constantly changing

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

Charlie Tumahai & Simon Fox

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

PB on the BB (1200)

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.