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Classic Tracks

We break down and analyse how these golden classic tracks were created, then recorded, mixed, and produced -- with contributions from the record producers, sound engineers and artists involved.

Displaying 43 - 63 of 153 items
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    Classic Tracks : Beastie Boys 'Sabotage'

    Producers: Beastie Boys & Mario Caldato Jr (Mario C) • Engineer: Mario Caldato Jr

    The standout track from the Beastie Boys' smash hit Ill Communication album nearly didn't make it onto the record at all — and when it did, it was the eight-track ADAT mix that made the final cut.

    Techniques Aug 2013
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    Classic Tracks: Prince ‘Kiss’

    Engineer & Producer David Z

    Originally intended for another group, ‘Kiss’ was quickly reclaimed by Prince when he heard David Z’s arrangement. Despite record company scepticism, the track became his third number one single and rejuvenated his career.

    Techniques Jun 2013
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    Classic Tracks: Pulp ‘Common People’

    Producer: Chris Thomas • Engineer: David Nicholas

    Pulp’s infectiously catchy commentary on the joys of class tourism helped propel the group to fame after nearly two decades of obscurity. Engineer David Nicholas tells us how ‘Common People’ was recorded.

    Techniques May 2013
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    Classic Tracks: Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'

    Producers: Tom Newman, Simon Heyworth • Engineers: Tom Newman, Simon Heyworth

    Forty years after its original release, Mike Oldfield tells us the story of recording his hugely successful debut album, Tubular Bells.

    Techniques Apr 2013
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    Classic Tracks: George Michael ‘Faith’

    Producer: George Michael • Engineer: Chris Porter

    Wham! went their separate ways in 1986, but the triumph of George Michael’s debut album Faith in 1987 meant that the success of his solo career was never really in doubt.

    Techniques Mar 2013
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    Classic Tracks: Adam & The Ants ‘Stand & Deliver’

    Producer: Chris Hughes • Engineer: Alan Douglas

    To say that producer Chris Hughes was closely involved with Recording Adam & The Ants’ biggest records would be a bit of an understatement — he got so involved he joined the band...

    Techniques Jan 2013
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    Classic Tracks: Frank Sinatra ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’

    Producer: Voyle Gilmore • Engineer: John Palladino

    In 1956, Frank Sinatra revived his flagging career with an album that would define the swing sound and go on to become one of the most highly regarded in history. John Palladino, now in his 92nd year, was at the controls...

    Techniques Dec 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Oasis ‘Wonderwall’

    Co-producer & Engineer Owen Morris

    For many, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? is Oasis’s masterpiece. Producer and engineer Owen Morris tells us the story of its creation.

    Techniques Nov 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Nine Inch Nails ‘Closer’

    Producers: Trent Reznor, Mark 'Flood' Ellis • Engineer: Sean Beavan

    Although the shock value of its lyrics and ensuing censorship earned it notoriety, ‘Closer’ perfectly exemplifies Trent Reznor’s radical use of sampling and singularly focused musical vision.

    Techniques Sep 2012
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    Classic Tracks: MARRS 'Pump Up The Volume'

    Co-producer: Martyn Young • Co-producer/Engineer: John Fryer

    The unlikely result of a collaboration between two 4AD bands, the release of ‘Pump Up The Volume’ by MARRS was a great day for house music and copyright lawyers alike.

    Techniques Aug 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Gary Moore 'Parisienne Walkways'

    Engineer & Producer: Chris Tsangarides

    'Parisienne Walkways' showcased Gary Moore's virtuoso guitar work and quickly became his signature song. Its recording also provided a young engineer at Morgan Studios with his first, unexpected production credit.

    Techniques Jul 2012
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    Classic Tracks: The Beatles 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'

    Engineer: Ken Scott

    Recording the White Album was a major project by any standards, not least for Ken Scott, who, at the age of just 21, found himself engineering the biggest band in the world...

    Techniques Jun 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Whitney Houston 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'

    Producer: Narada Michael Walden

    'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' was a huge global hit, but it also represented a tour de force in coaxing the perfect vocal from a singer, as explained by producer Narada Michael Walden.

    Techniques May 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Soft Cell 'Tainted Love'

    Producer: Mike Thorne

    Soft Cell's cover of 'Tainted Love' not only catapulted the duo to stardom in the UK, but also went on to spend a record-breaking 43 weeks on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart.

    Techniques Apr 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Don McLean 'American Pie'

    Producer: Ed Freeman • Engineer: Tom Flye

    The story of Don McLean's 'American Pie' goes from cryptic beginnings to massive chart success, and an eventual position as a perennial US radio favourite.

    Techniques Mar 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Sinéad O’Connor ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’

    Co-producer & Engineer Chris Birkett

    Recording Sinéad O’Connor’s breakthrough hit was easy in some ways, but difficult in others — for example, all compression was forbidden...

    Techniques Feb 2012
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    Classic Tracks: Petula Clark 'Downtown'

    Producer: Tony Hatch • Engineer: Ray Prickett

    The single ‘Downtown’ gave Petula Clark a worldwide hit and rejuvenated her career. Presiding over the session was engineer Ray Prickett, who tells us how it happened...

    Techniques Jan 2012
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    Classic Tracks: The Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'

    Producer: Trevor Horn • Engineer: Gary Langan

    The Buggles' JG Ballard-inspired 'Video Killed The Radio Star' hit the number one spot in no fewer than 16 different countries, and confirmed Trevor Horn in his career as a producer in the process.

    Techniques Dec 2011
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    Classic Tracks: The Specials 'Ghost Town'

    Producer: John Collins

    The haunting dub of ‘Ghost Town’ perfectly captured the mood of its time, and spent three weeks at the top of the British charts during the turbulent summer of 1981.

    Techniques Nov 2011
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    Classic Tracks: Elton John: 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'

    Engineer: David Hentschel

    Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road has proved to be one of his most popular and enduring works. The man at the controls, David Hentschel, tells us how it came to be.

    Techniques Oct 2011
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    Classic Tracks: John Cougar 'Jack & Diane'

    Producers: Ron Albert & Howard Albert • Engineer: Donald Gehman

    But for the timely intervention of Mick Ronson, John Cougar’s celebrated portrait of small-town American life might never have existed at all, let alone topped the Billboard Hot 100.

    Techniques Sep 2011

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