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Tony Mansfield

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Irish hurler and manager, see Tony Mansfield (hurler).
Tony Mansfield
Born
Anthony Charles Mansfield

(1955-01-19) January 19, 1955 (age 70)
London, United Kingdom
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active1970s–present
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • 100% Love
Formerly of

Anthony Charles Mansfield (born 19 January 1955) is an English songwriter, musician and record producer.[1] He first gained prominence as the frontman of the synth-pop band New Musik, which he formed in 1977.[2] Throughout his career, Mansfield has been known for his innovative use of synthesizers and electronic production techniques, which helped shape the sound of early 1980s pop music.[3][4]

Early life

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Tony Mansfield was born in Wimbledon, London and grew up in Clapham, London, and attended Spencer Park School in Wandsworth. After leaving school, he worked briefly in the art department of Decca Records. In 1977, Mansfield formed the synth-pop band New Musik, serving as the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and primary songwriter.[2]

Early work

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Mansfield became best known as the main songwriter/producer for New Musik, a synthpop band that performed from 1979 to 1982.[5] Following their debut hit single "Straight Lines" in 1979, the band had three further UK Top 40 hits in 1980 ("This World of Water", "Sanctuary" and "Living By Numbers"), and released three albums: From A To B (1980), Anywhere (1981) and Warp (1982). The group also released a compilation album for the United States in 1981 known as Sanctuary which consisted of tracks from the first two albums. After the demise of GTO Records, New Musik disbanded.[6][7]

Productions and collaborations

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Mansfield's career as a freelance producer began in the late 1970s, before his time with New Musik. After the band's dissolution, he shifted entirely to production, becoming highly proficient with the Fairlight CMI, a tool he used extensively throughout the 1980s for both production and pre-production.

During the 1980s period, he worked on numerous successful albums and singles for a variety of artists. His most notable collaborations included Naked Eyes debut album Burning Bridges (1983), which included the US Top 10 hit Always Something There to Remind Me and Captain Sensible, with whom he co-wrote hits such as Glad It's All Over, There Are More Snakes Than Ladders, and One Christmas Catalogue.[8]

One of his most notable early projects was his work on A-ha's debut album, Hunting High and Low (1984). Although his original production of Take On Me was later re-recorded and remixed by Alan Tarney, Mansfield's influence on the album's sound was significant, helping to shape the band's signature synth-driven pop style.[8]

Mansfield also contributed to albums, including XXX by Miguel Bosé, Showpeople by Mari Wilson, and Bouncing Off the Satellites by The B-52's. Additionally, he worked with Vicious Pink, Jean Paul Gaultier, and After the Fire.[8][9][10][11]

In the 1990s he produced the No.1 debut album Puntos Cardinales for Ana Torroja and in 2001, Online for the Latvian band Brainstorm amongst other production works.[12][13][14]

Mansfield's work has featured in various television productions, advertisements and films including Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997) and Hysterical Blindness (2002).

Musical style and influence

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Mansfield's music is distinguished by his pioneering use of synthesizers and electronic instruments, including the Korg 700s, Roland VP-330, Prophet 5, and Fairlight CMI. His ability to merge acoustic elements, such as 12-string guitar, with lush synth textures.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Tony Mansfield". Discogs. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b "New Musik - The Story: Tony Mansfield chronology & interview quotes". www.discog.info. 27 December 1997. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  3. ^ Blair, Johnny J. (9 January 2025). "The Shimmering Mystery of Tony Mansfield". Johnny’s Singing at Large Newsletter. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  4. ^ electricityclub (4 January 2023). "A Beginner's Guide To TONY MANSFIELD". ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  5. ^ "New Musik". Люди (in Russian). 19 April 2004. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011.
  6. ^ "New Musik". Discogs. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ^ Gunnarsson, Tommy. "New Musik - From A to B – The Sony Years". www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d electricityclub (4 January 2023). "A Beginner's Guide To TONY MANSFIELD". ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Tony Mansfield". music.tsklab.ru. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  10. ^ Blair, Johnny J. (9 January 2025). "The Shimmering Mystery of Tony Mansfield". Johnny’s Singing at Large Newsletter. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  11. ^ "New Musik. Fear Of Musik - Record Collector Magazine". Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  12. ^ Wårstad, Jonas (2 January 2022). "Tony Mansfield - various producer/songwriter/musician projects". www.discog.info. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  13. ^ Blair, Johnny J. (9 January 2025). "The Shimmering Mystery of Tony Mansfield". Johnny’s Singing at Large Newsletter. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  14. ^ "BrainStorm lubab Pärnu suve avajatele üllatust". Pärnu Postimees (in Estonian). 19 June 2001. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
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