Woke up this morning. It was a mistake. The sky looked mean, someone had stolen in during the night and had been sick on my shirt and the beautiful woman in the bed was in bad need of a shave. The scene wasn't too gorgeous. This was still the hung down, brung down place where women had nowhere to go and men had nowhere to take them. Where the rooms were so small you had to step outside to change your mind. Where folk were so broke they couldn't even afford to pay attention. This was offbeat down town Recording World and the unbearable weight of existence was beginning to play tricks on my mind.

There was a time when Genetic Studios were some kind of Mecca for the recording artist. They craved its squeaky cleanliness and hard-tech approach. Then the mega studios came back into vogue and Genetic hung out in the shadows for a while, doing steady business but no longer being a name to drop. Today Genetic seems to be creeping back into the limelight. Hotly tipped French Euro-Disco merchants. Hard Corps have been there working with Martin Rushent and Depeche Mode recorded some tracks for a forthcoming release with the inseparable Daniel Miller. The Cure who, against all odds have recorded another LP, took the spools to Genetic to mix with Dave Allen. Also taking up considerable amounts of studio time have been the potentially fashionable Here's Johnny produced by the ever-fashionable Paul Hardiman who in turn has sat behind the glass with The Big Dish. Martin Rushent has been overlooking projects by Modern English and Then Jerico while John Punter, part man part legend has taken considerable care of White China and their prospective LP.

Island studios in the salubrious surround of Chiswick has undergone major surgery and had its unsightly MCI desk removed and replaced by the full logic computer assisted total recall luxury of an SSL. From right old state to Solid State in one fell swoop. First customer to take advantage of this swell refurbishment was Stephen 'Tin Can' Duffy and knobsman Steven Street. And whilst on the scintillating subject of change, Good Earth have undergone a recent reshuffle of personnel. Luckily before Tony Visconti demoted himself to tape-yop he managed to produce a Moody Blues album. Pete Wilson has become something of a permanent fixture in the old leather chair. The reason for this being a Blow Monkeys LP which is taking a time cooking but sounding nothing short of God-like. Big Sound Authority, Soul saviours of last year's Pop, have begun work on their debut album with Greg Walsh. A single has already been amputated from the work and mixed for imminent release as a 45. Vince Clarke is still at Trident. Christ knows what he's doing but he's not letting on. Meanwhile, Rusty Egan put the finishing touches to the epic that has become the Spear of Destiny album. After hearing that there was an epic occurring, Charlton Heston, star of Ben Hurt appeared to lay down some impromptu voiceovers for a movie.

Mel Gaynor, lead drum player for Scots beat combo Simple Minds, has materialised in Soho Studios with various members of The Team to commit a few tunes to acetate and Jimmy Ruffin, a man with a voice like cheese fondoo, overdubbed some vocals for a self project which should see the light of day real soon.

George Michael, the kebab boy rapidly metamorphosing into Kris Kristofferson appeared at Sarm East with legendary guitar hero Andrew Ridgeley with a shopping trolley full of tapes from their Chinese concerts. Shoot me down in flames but this could mean a Wham! live in China album is on the way. Wake me up before the encores. Gary Moore, member of the venerable Rock ensemble, Gary Moore, has reworked the remixed re-mix of his Empty Room single. Tell him you like it and prevent a suicide. Sarm has also provided a warm studio for the disgracefully good looking Pet Shop Boys and producer J J Jeczalik who may or may not still be a member of The Art of Noise. Jerry Dammers has taken over as producer for US Specials soundalikes The Untouchables. JoBoxers are back in business and laying it down like only then can. Peculiar composer type Andrew Poppy completed another couple of tracks for his up and coming record. Pianist to the stars, Steve Nieve has teamed up with one Steve Allen to produce music for people called Steve. The project comes under the dubious banner of The Perils of Plastic and once again production credits go to JJ. Block booking of the month goes to real men of Rock, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart. Yes, American guitar solos made flesh, Rash, have just signed the cheque for seven years of Sarm East's precious studio time. Although this will leave little or no time for mixing their record company are hoping to get the album out just before the end of the world. Production will be in the able and hairy hands of Nik Kershaw fader fuhrer, Peter Collins. Let's hear it for men's music.