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Pascal Gabriel's music career started to take shape when he left an art-school band in his native Belgium in the late 1970s and headed to London...Once there, he worked as a freelance sound engineer in various studios, earning a reputation for innovative remixes for cult artists like Marc Almond, Yello, Can and Wire. By the late 1980s, Pascal was at the forefront of the dance music explosion as producer and co-writer for S-Express and Bomb the Bass, achieving Number One singles with both S-Express’s Theme from S-Express and Bomb the Bass' breakthrough track Beat Dis. A precedent was set. Pascal embarked on a series of mixing, writing and producing duties for a wide range of artists, from pop supremos like Erasure to legends such as Deborah Harry and Billy MacKenzie. The 1990s saw him working across a broad musical spectrum. Though still in touch with his dance instincts, Pascal began moving away from beats and breaks towards indie-pop, working with a number of bands, including New Order, co-producing their single Respect. He was also a producer on EMF's multi-platinum album Schubert Dip – and went on to work with Inspiral Carpets and Kitchens of Distinction. By 1997, he had formed the band Peach, resulting in a string of international hits. In the new millenium, Pascal was introduced to an unsigned singer called Dido, with whom he wrote several songs. These tracks – Here With Me and No Angel – became flagship songs on Dido's multi-million selling debut album No Angel. Following that, he began writing with and producing tracks for Kylie, including Your Love from the critically acclaimed Fever album. Since then, he has notched up several hits with an eclectic mixture of musical collaborators including KT Tunstall, David McAlmont, folk hero Boo Hewerdine, Norwegian superstar Morten Abel, pop starlet Rachel Stevens (co-writing & producing her Top Ten electro track So Good) as well as indie darling Hafdis Huld and Liberty X (co-writing the UK Top Ten hit Everybody Cries). More recently, Pascal co-wrote and produced two tracks for Sophie Ellis Bextor's album Trip the Light Fantastic. He also co-wrote and produced Miss Kittin's instant cult classic Batbox album, released in February 2008, and has co-written and produced five tracks on New Zealand's rising star Ladyhawke's eponymous album, inlcuding the singles Dusk til Dawn, My Delirium and Magic, as well as co-writing Tune into my Heart on Little Boots' hit début album Hands. He co-wrote and produced three tracks on Marina & the Diamonds' hit début album The Family Jewels and has co-produced much of Goldfrapp's long awaited new album Head First, including the opening single Rocket. He is currently writing and producing with Example and Yes Giantess, as well as working on Ladyhawke's second album and several other exciting new projects.... watch this space..... For a complete listing of Pascal Gabriel's work, please visit the Melophobia discography page |
Pascal's passion for music first became evident at high school, where he grasped the coveted lead euphonium gig in the orchestra at a day's notice and with no formal training. Now retired, head of music Gustav Memling remembers fondly his new pupil's enthusiasm; "...ah yes...but this much talent..."
Pascal's interest in dance music also emerged at school, where he was a key figure in the experimental first all-boy cheerleading squad - Konrad Schmermerhorn remembers particularly his former colleague's groundbreaking moves, especially the freefall booty spangle which delighted crowds wherever they performed.
Pascal (left) always understood the importance of a good look. |
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