• Gus Dudgeon is rated as one of the greatest British producers of all time; his work is in millions of homes across the world. • Starting out as an engineer, he got to produce the Zombies’ classic ‘She’s Not There’ in 1964 when the allotted producer popped out for refreshments. There followed an eclectic ride through the 60s as a fully-fledged producer working with acts as diverse as John Mayall and Eric Clapton’s Blues Breakers, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Ralph McTell (he persuaded Ralph to record the original ‘Streets Of London’ when it wasn’t included in a forthcoming session), David Bowie’s first hit, prog rockers Audience and psychedelic act the Locomotive. • The big break was, of course, being chosen to produce new act Elton John for DJM Records. The singer had recorded before as Bluesology but took a new singer/songwriter direction with his writing partner Bernie Taupin. Their first singles for Philips failed to chart and their Debut DJM LP did not garner much interest, so Gus was brought in with his production team, including brilliant arranger Paul Buckmaster. That transformed the Elton John sound and, starting with ‘Your Song’ in January 1971, began a string of hits and acclaimed albums that continue to this day. Gus became such an integral part of the creative recording process that Elton considered him to be one of the band. • In those momentous 70s, Kiki Dee also scored big spin-off hits and Gus worked wonders for acts such as Joan Armatrading, Lindisfarne, Chris Rea, as well as an intriguing one-off hit for Voyager and new wave group XTC – plus an unlikely pair for South African John Kongos. The ones that didn’t make it are just as worthy, such as Paul Buckmaster’s group Sounds Nice with influential keyboard player Tim Mycroft and the amazing ‘Boredom’ by Tea & Symphony, which predated the Buzzcocks’ song of the same name by a decade. • Respected music journalist Richie Unterberger has written an 8,000-word essay and there are four pages crammed with tributes from musicians, singers, DJs and friends (including Sir Elton John) in the CD booklet – along with photos and scans over the course of Gus’ career. TRACKLISTING: 1. She’s Not There - The Zombies 2. All Your Love - John Mayall with Eric Clapton 3. I’m The Urban Spaceman – The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band 4. Oh How She Changed - The Strawbs 5. Mr Armageddan - The Locomotive 6. Love You Too - Sounds Nice feat. Tim Mycroft 7. Space Oddity (Uk Single Version) - David Bowie 8. Boredom - Tea & Symphony 9. Streets Of London – Ralph Mctell 10. Sixty Years On - Elton John 11. Eye To Eye - Audience 12. Tokoloshe Man - John Kongos 13. My Family - Joan Armatrading 14. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time) - Elton John 15. Whatever Gets You Through The Night - Elton John Band Feat. John Lennon & The Muscle Shoals Horns 16. How Glad I Am - The Kiki Dee Band 17. Run For Home - Lindisfarne 18. Fool (If You Think It’s Over) (Single Edit) – Chris Rea 19. Halfway Hotel - Voyager 20. The Disappointed - XTC 21. Springtime For Hitler - “Legs” Larry Smith