Spitfire Audio taps into the collection of one of the most iconic producers of the last 50 years. Dave Gale finds out whether it’s a gas or a pass…

Whether you were around in the ’80s, or you’ve subsequently heard the era’s influence on recent musical output, you’ll likely know that Trevor Horn is revered as the mastermind behind many of the iconic sounds of the decade. Known for pushing the boundaries of music technology, while also combining terrific instrumental performances, he is the producer behind a string of acclaimed singles and albums, from artists as diverse as Grace Jones, Yes, ABC, Seal and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. He was also the main-man of the Buggles, whose 1979 single Video Killed the Radio Star remains a retro-playlist fave.

Solar flares

Spitfire Audio’s desire to capture some of Horn’s trademark sounds is unsurprising… a legendary British producer and a successful sampling house teaming up to create a library of eradefining sounds. But does it have a place within the current production psyche?