That Sonia post, as chuckle-worthy as it was, actually cast my mind back to the music I listened to in my formative years. The late Eighties were a great time for pop - the Pet Shops and Erasure were on fine form, house music was successfully merging soul, funk and disco, and SAW ruled the airwaves. Between the three of them, Stock, Aitken and Waterman managed a staggering run of over 100 top 40 UK singles. But success does not always guarantee happiness, especially for those who miss out on their share.
Pity poor 'Mixmaster' Pete Hammond. He worked with SAW throughout their golden period, contributing his trademark sound to every record that left the Hit Factory. He was always credited as having mixed the track, but he feels his contribution was greater. And to be honest, the evidence that has emerged recently suggests he may have a point...
SAW fans like me were delighted to hear that he'd resurected his trademark sound last year in remixing bouncy Danish popsters Alphabeat's single Boyfriend. Then we heard the track, and marvelled at how it wouldn't have sounded out of place on Bananarama's Wow! album. See for yourself...
Alphabeat - Boyfriend
This year, a second piece of evidence came to light - Pete's stunning remix of Velvet's Euro-hit 'Chemistry'. Again, the cowbells and handclaps take pride of place, as do the ropey sampling vocal effects. If I close my eyes, I'm sipping cider through a straw and begging my Mum for a pair of Pod shoes.
Velvet - Chemistry
So there you have it - he was the missing letter. SAW should have been SHAW. Or WASH. On second thoughts, that sounds a bit gross.
M'Lud, the prosecution rests.
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