Contractual hassles have kept musician/producer Bill Nelson hopping from one record label to another since the demise of Be-Bop Deluxe, yet he has still managed to record some exemplary albums using the facility of his 16-track home studio. Ian Gilby finds out how he put his new album together.

Curiosity Killed The Cat's producer Glenn Skinner gets a few things of his chest this month.

Martin Russ speculates on the end of the music industry as we know it.

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.

Addis Ababa

You don't have to go to Ethiopia to reach Addis Ababa, as Pete Gleadall discovers

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.

Communicate Studios

Our boy Pat Hunt takes the 2.30 to Epsom Downs and wins by a nose

Judie Tzuke, Tangerine Dream, Depeche Mode, Dio

session guitar from Heaven 17 to Art Garfunkel

An exclusive look inside Genesis' private studio retreat deep in the heart of Surrey.

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.

In which sir Richard loses a band but begins a solo career, and applies his multifarious talents to the world of commercials. He also has a voice like a Nightingale (when the tapes are speeded up sufficiently). All this and more...

As sound-sampling becomes accepted as a technique, what will musicians do with their machines after the novelty has worn off? Chris Meyer takes a sideways look.

News from America compiled by Simon Braund

This month, guest producer Gary Langan speaks of his recording history and the loneliness of the long-distance producer...

20 Things You Probably Never Knew About CD.

Founder of Ultravox, John Foxx talks here about his new projects, new album and his return to the live stage.

Union Synthy Blues

ENTER: developments/products/arrivals... SET

Wise words from the master of modern production

Bowie's Dennis Davis and George Murray

Dennis Davis and George Murray chat to Ralph Denyer on their rhythmic station in the Bowie band.

The man who put the rock into Gibraltar (no 'roll', numbskull, into 'roll').

Tubular Bells, Bayou Moon and other stories

Apart from his claim to fame as the co-producer of Mike Oldfield's hugely successful 'Tubular Bells' album, engineer/producer Tom Newman has most recently been making his mark in the New Age music field with two beautifully recorded albums. Mark Prendergast reports.

'Brotherhood' by New Order

Sound On Sound's record review with a difference! Mark Prendergast begins the first of a regular feature that talks about and to the people responsible for one of the more interesting vinyl releases around. This month: 'Brotherhood' by New Order.