1. When did you start to work in the music industry, and what were you doing firstly ?
I started work in 1979 at a studio in London called Pye Studios, working as an assistant engineer/runner. It was a great studio, and a fantastic place to learn about all aspects of recording and mixing.
2. What is your very first record ?
The first record that I can remember mixing was "I Just Wanna" by Alton Edwards, it was a top 20 chart hit in England, and a very popular club
record.
3. When exactly did you join PWL, and why ?
I joined PWL in the summer of 1988. I joined after having a meeting with Pete, where he asked me to mix Kylie's "Locomotion" track. I thought it
would be a great place to work, and I ended up staying there for a further 7 years!
4. Why did you leave PWL ?
I left PWL in 1995, simply because it felt like the right time to move on and try different things.
5. What is the record you enjoyed the most working on ?
That is a tough one! I have been lucky to work on so many great records, but I certainly got a great deal of pleasure being able to re-mix some classic recordings like Y.M.C.A./Village People and Copacabana/Barry Manilow, both of which had a great orchestral arrangement over a "dance" backing track.
6. What is the record you enjoyed the less ?
I shouldn't really answer this one!! But believe me, there have been some very painful moments.
7. What is your biggest selling record ?
I'm not sure, but I have worked with some very successful artists in Japan, who sometimes can sell 4/5 million albums, and usually sell 1 to 2 million singles.
8. What is the artist you enjoyed the most working with ?
I work with a guy called Mick Jackson, he wrote, and performed the original "Blame It On The Boogie" before The Jacksons, he is a fantastic vocalist, and a great guy to be around in the studio.
9. The less ??
I couldn't possibly answer that......... I am a professional!!
10. What is your favourite song (not especially one on which you worked) ?
My favourites change every week! I like old soul like Barry White and Stevie Wonder, and I also like a lot of new dance/R&B tracks. I must say that I do have a soft spot for most Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis songs/productions. They always combine great melodies with modern sounding b/tracks, and of course they are lucky to be working with great artists like Janet Jackson etc etc.
11. What are you listening to ?
I like to listen to a lot of dance radio stations, as this allows me to hear what tracks are happening at the current time.
12. Why have you started to do so much work for Japan, and almost nothing for Europe ?
The success of artists I work with in Japan means I have had to concentrate on that market, but I do really want to get things working in the Europe this year.
13. Which single you worked on was the most successful in Japan ?
I can't name one particular track, but songs by Globe, Aumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro have sold many millions of copies.
14. What do you think of what Pete Waterman, and Stock & Aitken are doing nowadays ?
Obviously I hear of Pete's work with Steps, but other than that I am not really aware of much else happening recently.
15. We see a kind of revival of the PWL sound, will you in the future do some remixes in the same style, like you sometimes do from time to time ?
I certainly hope so! I am always ready to mix/ remix in that style, it really depends on the record company's wishes. I still believe people like to hear records that feel and sound good. That is what I try and do!! If I enjoy it, I hope others will.
16.Do you sometimes choose the artists you want to mix ?
Yes, sometimes I do have to choose if I feel I can add to an artists song/production, but usually I am confident that I can enhance what I am given.
17. When a record company asks you for a mix, could you do whatever you like, or they tell you the kind of stuff they want ?
Usually record companies expect you to mix in your own particular style, that is why they ask you in the first place!
But I am quite happy to be given a direction to follow, and then hopefully deliver the mix still with a little of my identity on it.
18. What do you prefer between vinyl and cd ?
There is something funky about seeing vinyl spinning round on the deck, it reminds of my past, but CD is a great, and convenient way to play music.
19. What do you prefer working on between analogic and digital ?
I do prefer working on digital multi tracks, simply for ease, but I usually always mix down to 1/2 inch analogue tape. I like the warmth it gives, and you also get a great bass response!!
20. Have you ever really realised how huge was the PWL success, not only for SAW material, but also for yours or Harding/Curnow, and Pete Hammond, and how famous, in a certain way, you are ?
Well, I am aware of the PWL/SAW success, but as for the rest of us, I wasn't really aware of any fame, although it is nice to know people sometimes look behind the scenes to see the people who make it all work.
21. What are the future plans, new releases ?
I am currently working with Mick Jackson and Ian Curnow on some new projects, which we hope will secure releases in the near future, our production team is called "The Sound Foundation" and we are are looking to establish ourselves as a production team, working alongside many different artists/record companies in the near future. With our combined talent I am hoping for good things!!!
22. Will there be more dance stuff like for example Hatsumi Morinaga, which was really great ?
Yes, of course. Some of our new material is exactly along those lines. As I'm sure you know I worked on Hatsumi's tracks with Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, so you can can expect some more tracks like that in the future
23. Any message for your readers and fans ?
I would like to thank everybody who has taken an interest in my work over the last 20 years, and I hope you will listen out for any new material I work on in the future. I must also thank Xavier for all his work and effort in keeping the PWL associates internet site going. Finally, if anybody would like to contact me please e-mail to davem.ford@btinternet.com
I look forward to your messages.