2012
Steve is currently immersed in a variety of exciting and diverse projects. One of the highlights is his collaboration with Kenni Wenna on a second album, which is well underway. The duo is in the process of selecting songs and recording them, with Steve playing a key role in shaping the sound and direction of the album. Additionally, Steve is working with the rising pop star Jon James, who is in the midst of recording his debut album and several singles. Steve's involvement with Jon includes not only engineering and producing the tracks but also co-writing, helping to shape the sound of the artist's first major releases.
Another major project Steve is engaged in is with blues singer/songwriter Ged Wilson, who is currently mixing his highly anticipated second album with Steve's expert touch. The album is expected to be released sometime in 2013, and Steve’s contributions include ensuring the final mix brings out the best in Wilson’s powerful blues sound.
In addition to these collaborations, Steve has been involved in a holiday project with Diane Jones, a talented singer who is about to release a Christmas single. Steve's role in this project was multifaceted, as he engineered and produced the track while also being commissioned to arrange the strings, adding a rich layer of depth to the song.
Steve’s versatility also extends to the metal genre, where he contributed to the latest album by the band Incassum, titled Rite of Passage. As part of the production team, Steve helped engineer and mix the album at Gracieland Studio, showcasing his ability to work across various musical styles and genres, from pop and blues to metal. These ongoing projects reflect Steve's broad skill set, as he continues to work with a diverse array of artists and push the boundaries of his craft in the music industry.
2013
Steve dedicated the majority of 2013 to collaborating with the acclaimed British singer Lisa Stansfield and her long-time musical partner Ian Devaney on her highly anticipated new album, Seven. This project was a significant one, as it marked Lisa Stansfield's return to the music scene after a hiatus. Steve worked closely with Ian and Lisa throughout the production process, contributing his expertise as an engineer, producer, and sound architect to bring their vision to life.
Seven was released in January 2014 and quickly garnered attention for its rich, soulful sound and compelling songwriting. The album was well-received by both fans and critics, making an impressive debut by charting in the UK Top 20, reaching an enviable #13 position. More notably, it soared to the top of the UK Soul Charts, securing the number one spot. This success further solidified Lisa Stansfield’s reputation as one of the leading voices in British soul music.
Steve's role in this album was pivotal in shaping the overall sonic direction, blending classic elements of soul with contemporary influences. His technical expertise, alongside the creative contributions from Ian and Lisa, ensured that Seven resonated deeply with audiences, reinforcing Stansfield’s place in the soul music pantheon. The album's chart success was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team, with Steve playing a key part in helping to craft the polished, soulful sound that captured the attention of listeners worldwide.
2014
Steve is currently busy working on additional tracks with Lisa Stansfield and Ian Devaney, continuing their successful collaboration from the album Seven. The trio is back in the studio, refining new material and expanding upon their already impressive body of work. This ongoing partnership promises to build on the creative synergy that produced Seven, with Steve playing an integral role in both the production and engineering processes, ensuring that each new track achieves the same high standard of quality that fans have come to expect from Lisa Stansfield’s music.
Beyond his work with Stansfield and Devaney, Steve is also involved in a range of exciting projects across various genres. He is currently engaged in songwriting and production with Reiss, a talented artist who is making waves in the music scene. Steve’s expertise is being put to use in crafting fresh, catchy tunes that showcase Reiss’s unique style while adding his signature touch to the sound.
Steve’s collaborative spirit extends to singer/songwriters Ian J Briggs and Jess Stretton as well, with whom he is working on new material. Together, they are exploring a variety of musical directions, blending different influences to create songs that are both heartfelt and innovative. Steve’s involvement in these projects spans across producing, co-writing, and arranging, helping to bring each artist’s vision to life in a polished and professional way.
In addition to his songwriting and production duties, Steve is also lending his engineering and arranging talents to the new Giant Star album. His contributions are ensuring that the band’s upcoming release will feature tight arrangements, a clear sonic direction, and a cohesive sound that resonates with their fans.
Lastly, Steve has showcased his mastering skills by working on a double album for the artist John Moore. This project, which is set to be released on vinyl, is a testament to Steve’s versatility, as mastering requires a meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of how the final mix translates across different formats. With the album’s impending release, fans can expect a rich, dynamic listening experience that does justice to Moore’s music.
In all these projects, Steve’s diverse talents as a producer, engineer, songwriter, and arranger are evident, as he continues to collaborate with artists across genres and play a key role in shaping the future of their music.
In October, Steve was busy working with several exciting bands, including Seven More Days, who were in the studio recording drums for their upcoming album. The sessions were intense, with Steve contributing his expertise to capture the perfect drum sounds that would lay the foundation for the band’s new material. As the band worked through various tracks, Steve ensured that each drum recording was crisp, dynamic, and aligned with the overall vision for the album. This project is highly anticipated, and Steve’s role was key in making sure that the rhythm section stood out with clarity and power.
At the same time, Giant Star was also in the studio, finalizing the mixes for their new album. With the band putting the final touches on their tracks, Steve was in charge of ensuring that each element of the recording came together perfectly. His careful attention to detail during the mixing process helped refine the sound of the album, balancing each instrument and vocal to create a cohesive, polished finished product. The mixes were being fine-tuned to ensure that the album would resonate with listeners, highlighting the band’s unique style while maintaining the highest sonic quality.
Additionally, Steve has been working on an exciting live project related to Lisa Stansfield. Mixing has already commenced on the recordings from her concert at the iconic Bridgewater Hall in September 2014. This live performance was a special event, and Steve has been tasked with mixing the concert for a variety of formats. The live audio will be presented in stunning 5.1 surround sound, making it a truly immersive experience for listeners who enjoy watching concerts on DVD or BluRay. The surround sound format will provide a rich and dynamic listening experience, allowing fans to feel as though they are right there in the audience.
Alongside the surround sound mix, Steve is also preparing a stereo CD version of the performance. This will allow fans who prefer a traditional listening format to enjoy the live concert experience with clear, high-quality audio. Steve’s meticulous attention to detail during the mixing process will ensure that the final product faithfully captures the energy and emotion of Lisa Stansfield's live performance, providing fans with a lasting memory of the event. This project highlights Steve’s ability to work across different audio formats, blending technical expertise with his passion for music to bring fans an exceptional audio-visual experience.
2016
Stephen has been deeply involved in mixing and playing on the upcoming album by the rock band Demon, which is set for release later this year. His contributions are expected to be an integral part of the album’s sound, showcasing his expertise in crafting the band’s musical direction. In addition to this project, Stephen has also been working on tracks for Lisa Stansfield’s highly anticipated new album, Deeper. This album is generating buzz, and Stephen’s input is helping shape its overall sonic landscape, promising a mix of soulful melodies and modern production that fans have come to expect from Stansfield’s work. Both projects demonstrate Stephen’s versatility and involvement in diverse musical genres, cementing his reputation as a sought-after collaborator in the music industry.
2018
This year has been incredibly busy and successful, especially with the release of Lisa Stansfield’s highly anticipated album, Deeper. The recording and mixing of the album spanned the entire year of 2017, involving meticulous attention to detail and collaboration to ensure that every track met the highest standards. Upon its release, Deeper quickly made an impact on the music scene, debuting at No. 15 on the UK Official Charts. The album also performed strongly in several other countries, securing high chart positions across Europe and beyond. This marks another milestone in Stansfield’s impressive career, which has been built on a legacy of soulful, timeless music. The Deeper album continues to be celebrated for its mature, dynamic sound, blending classic soul with contemporary influences, and it has resonated with both long-time fans and new listeners. For those interested in experiencing the album, it’s available for purchase on platforms like Amazon UK: Deeper on Amazon.
2019
Between the Vines is a country rock band formed by the talented Rebecca Whitehead, and they made a significant debut with the release of their first album in June. This album showcases their distinctive blend of country and rock influences, capturing a raw and authentic sound. The project was crafted over a focused four-month period, with every track meticulously developed to bring their vision to life. Steve played an integral role in the creation of the album, not only engineering and mixing the tracks but also co-producing and adding his expertise on the keys. His contributions helped shape the band’s overall sound, bringing out the rich textures of their music. For more updates on the band, you can visit their official Facebook page: Between the Vines.
In addition to his work with Between the Vines, Steve has also had the pleasure of collaborating with Manchester’s own The Space Monkeys, a band with a longstanding connection to Gracieland Studio. The Space Monkeys are in the final stages of completing their much-anticipated new album, and Steve has been a key part of the project, engineering and mixing several tracks. Though the album’s title remains under wraps for now, the anticipation is high as fans eagerly await its release.
September was another busy month for Steve, as he teamed up with virtuoso guitarist and songwriter Dave Foster. Foster, known for his intricate guitar work, added a layer of sophistication to two of his upcoming tracks by incorporating real string arrangements. Steve was responsible for the string arrangements, collaborating with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s top-line section, led by conductor Andrew Price, to bring an added depth to Foster’s music. This partnership is sure to elevate Foster’s already impressive songwriting and instrumental skills, creating a more cinematic feel for his forthcoming album. For more information on Dave Foster and his music, you can visit the official Panic Room website: Dave Foster Band.
2020
The year of the pandemic brought significant challenges to the music industry, as many artists and producers faced delays and restrictions due to lockdowns and social distancing measures. For Steve, this meant that much of the studio activity slowed down, and like many others, he adapted by shifting to remote work and online collaboration methods. The creative process for many projects continued, but largely from a distance, with musicians, vocalists, and producers working from their home studios and sharing files via the internet. Despite these obstacles, Steve remained involved in a variety of projects, helping to bring them to completion in unconventional ways.
One such project involved Will Rush, a talented singer, songwriter, and actor. Will had been working on laying down vocals and mixing several tracks for release, but the pandemic brought a halt to these efforts. The tracks, which had been in the works, were put on hold indefinitely as the global situation unfolded. Despite the delay, Steve remained in touch with Will to ensure that the progress made so far was preserved, awaiting the time when the project could move forward.
In early February 2020, Steve worked with the regular string section, who had been recording overdubs for a single by producer Lee Monteverde and the LMC (a music collective). The single was a remake of Thelma Houston’s classic hit “I Don’t Know Why I Love You”. The track, which was to be released in May 2020, featured Steve’s intricate string arrangements, which brought a fresh and modern twist to the classic song. The arrangement added a layer of depth and emotional intensity to the track, and Steve’s ability to blend contemporary production with traditional orchestral elements helped to elevate the song. The single was released as planned, offering listeners a new take on a timeless classic, despite the challenges of the year.
Another significant project Steve continued working on during the pandemic was an album by Daren Lamberton & Stuart Wolfenden. The album, which was recorded prior to the pandemic, was nearing the final stages of production, and Steve had been overseeing the mixing and mastering process. The album is set to be released in late autumn 2020, both as a CD and for digital download. Throughout the recording process, the album featured the remarkable talents of Sue ‘Red’ Quin and Ian Wilson, who contributed additional vocals. One of the standout tracks also included a string section, with the exceptionally talented Andrew Price playing a solo violin part, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the composition. Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, the album is now in its final mastering stages, with Steve ensuring that the sound quality meets the high standards expected of his work.
Additionally, Between the Vines, the country rock band formed by Rebecca Whitehead, had been making great progress on their follow-up album. However, the second wave of the virus led to further delays, postponing their recording sessions and overdubs. This was a particularly frustrating setback as the band had been eager to continue working on their material, but the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic meant that they had to once again halt progress. Nevertheless, Steve remained optimistic, continuing to provide remote support and guidance, as well as ensuring that all previously recorded material was up to standard.
During the lockdown, Steve also embarked on a personal project to write a catalogue of synch music—a collection of tracks specifically created for licensing in TV, films, and advertisements. This project allowed Steve to explore new musical ideas and experiment with different genres, all while working independently from home. The synch music catalogue was designed with the intention of being placed in a variety of media, offering a diverse range of instrumental compositions that could be easily adapted to suit different scenes, moods, and visuals. The project provided Steve with an opportunity to create music that could reach a wide audience through various media platforms, adding another layer to his already impressive body of work.
While 2020 posed challenges for many in the music industry, Steve’s adaptability and creativity allowed him to continue contributing to multiple projects, ensuring that despite the unprecedented circumstances, the music kept moving forward. Through remote work, innovative collaborations, and personal projects, Steve kept his passion for music alive and thriving, ready for the day when the world could return to a more traditional form of studio and live performance work.
2021
The studio is bustling with plans for a variety of exciting projects, but the current restrictions continue to pose challenges. Until the studio can operate without limitations, these projects, despite their potential and creative energy, will regrettably remain on hold, tucked away safely in the vault. The team remains hopeful that a return to normal operations will soon unlock the opportunity to fully dive into these endeavors.
In April, the studio welcomed the dynamic duo Pagnini & Crombie. Initially envisioned as a complete album comprising around twelve tracks, the project has since transformed into a broader and more exploratory songwriting session. This shift has allowed the artists to expand their creative horizons, with the possibility of producing something even more innovative and unexpected than originally planned.
May and June marked the arrival of regular collaborator John Whittaker. His visit brought with it a remarkable recording session that featured both vocals and strings. The string arrangements were brought to life by the skilled musicians of the BBC Philharmonic, adding a layer of richness and sophistication to the project. Following these sessions, the project entered the intensive stages of mixing and mastering, resulting in a piece that is both groundbreaking and commercially appealing. The release strategy includes digital availability through downloads and streaming, alongside a limited-edition run of colored vinyl, which is sure to attract collectors and audiophiles alike.
Meanwhile, BTV made significant progress with their ongoing project, focusing on the mixing stage. Final mastering is expected to take place later in the year, bringing the work closer to completion. This steady progress underscores the studio’s dedication to crafting exceptional music, even amid the challenges of a restricted working environment.
2023
As September draws to a close, the studio has been buzzing with activity, with exciting developments and creative projects taking shape across the board. The dynamic duo of Crombie & Pagnini has evolved into two distinct entities. The first, APECS—was rebranded as APECCS and featuring Linda Pagnini and now Linda Pagnini—represents the more electronic pop-oriented side of their musical pursuits. This shift allows them to delve deeply into a vibrant, modern sound while maintaining their creative versatility.
Elsewhere in the studio, Daren Reece Lamberton has been hard at work recording two separate projects. One is in collaboration with the band North Blood, showcasing his skill as part of a collective. The other sees him stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, offering a more personal and intimate musical exploration.
Stirred by Life also spent time in the studio, recording a selection of her own original songs. Her music is truly unique, standing out with a distinctive and quirky sound that sets it apart. Each track showcases her creativity and artistic voice, blending originality with an unmistakable charm. These are not just songs but vibrant pieces of storytelling and emotion that resonate deeply.
To bring her vision to life, we worked together to ensure the recordings captured the essence of her style. The results are fantastic, and I'm excited for everyone to experience them. For those curious to dive into her work, you can watch the videos here, which add another layer of depth and artistry to her already captivating music.
In addition, the studio hosted track-laying and mixing sessions for the talented singer-songwriter and actor Stuart Wolfenden, alongside his band, NORTH. Their sessions brought an incredible energy to the studio, and the results promise to be something special.
Another major highlight coming early next year is the release of Sister Lydia & The Haggard’s debut single from their album, Dada to Munich. This fascinating project dates back to 1979, when the group was originally formed but ultimately shelved. Reviving the venture has been an exciting challenge, involving a mix of talents.
2024
Sister Lydia & The Haggard embarked on an exciting project of releasing one single on the first of each month. This endeavor required extensive preparation, so I dedicated most of 2023 to writing and recording at my studio, ensuring we had a substantial backlog of tracks ready to go in advance. The goal was to maintain a consistent release schedule, and as of today, this monthly regime is still going strong. For anyone interested, the accompanying videos for the singles can be found online, showcasing the creative visuals that complement the music.
During this time, my studio also became a hub of collaboration and creativity. Stuart Wolfenden, along with his band North, made several visits to work on their album. These sessions were productive and inspiring, as we shaped their sound and brought their vision to life. Meanwhile, ongoing projects with Linda Pagnini also took shape, with tracks being steadily developed and refined. The studio buzzed with energy, with each collaboration adding its own unique touch to the musical landscape we were building.
In late October, the studio welcomed John Stroud of Stroud TV, who visited to film a commercial for the new Honor flip phone. The campaign uses the song "Died in Your Arms Tonight," and the process began with recording Jimmy Balito, a former finalist on The Voice, to perform the song with amended lyrics. Jimmy brought his incredible vocal talent to the session, breathing fresh life into the track with newly written lyrics and a polished mix tailored for the ad.
Once the recording was complete, a filming date was set, and production unfolded seamlessly over the course of a single day. The commercial was designed to evoke a nostalgic yet humorous vibe, tying the 80s power-ballad style to the modern tech world. Just a few weeks later, the finished product was released on social media, where it drew attention for its creative and lighthearted take on tech mishaps.
To explore the full story behind this unique collaboration, check it out here.
Current Projects