80s producer who was killed in a car crash in 1987. He worked (among other things) on the following albums:
Bob Marley: Survival
Grace Jones: Nightclubbing
Thompson Twins: Quickstep & Sidekick
Thompson Twins: Into The Gap
Duran Duran: Seven And The Ragged Tiger
Talking Heads: Speaking In Tongues (mixing)
Foreigner: Agent Provocateur
Arcadia: So Red The Rose
Simply Red: Men & Women
Robbie Nevil: Robbie Nevil
Boom Crash Opera: Boom Crash Opera
Personally I absolutely loved Sadkin's slightly reggae tinged production style back then, and I still find that it sounds amazingly fresh when compared to a lot of other stuff from the same era. Sadly his life was way too short.
Anybody else got any views?
Also, are there any productions by him that I've forgotten (For instance, did he produce any reggae albums other than "Survival"? - I have heard he started out as a reggae producer, but that one is the only pure reggae production I know by him)
I would also be interested in whether anybody knows whether he was supposed to be involved in the production of the "Turn Back The Clock" album by Johnny Hates Jazz. This for more than one reason
1. Phil Thornalley's production on the JHJ album sounds a lot like Sadkin, particularly the bass sound
2. Thornalley's went on to produce "Big Trash" for Thompson Twins, giving them some of the old sound that they used to have with Sadkin producing.
3. The "Turn Back The Clock" sleeve contained the following message: "For Alex: Thanks, and bye"
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 31 May 2006 21:01 (nineteen years ago)
Didn't he also do Warm Leatherette? I'd say classic just for Nightclubbing.And Seven And The Ragged Tiger. Yeah!
― Makrugaik (makrugaik), Wednesday, 31 May 2006 21:18 (nineteen years ago)
Geir, I'm amazed that you of all people forgot Paul Haig's "Rhythm Of Life" from 1983. A major label (Island) attempt to make the great Haig a 'proper' pop star, with Alex Sadkin production, it was hit and miss but had its moments. 'Never Give Up' was a massive dancefloor hit, so they say. I remember it never being off the radio, yet it only got to number 65 or thereabouts.
― darren (darren), Wednesday, 31 May 2006 21:29 (nineteen years ago)
I was only slightly aware of Haig at all, and had no idea he worked with Sadkin.
1983 must have been a very busy year for Alex Sadkin.
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 31 May 2006 22:05 (nineteen years ago)
He produced the quite remarkable Vic Godard album, "Songs For Sale." A real masteriece, in my opinion.
― Dee Xtrovert (dee dee), Thursday, 1 June 2006 00:32 (nineteen years ago)
That debut Boom Crash Opera album is excellent; yes, Mr. Sadkin worked on some great Grace Jones titles.
― So Ho La (So Ho La), Thursday, 1 June 2006 02:39 (nineteen years ago)