Hugh Padgham was among the most successful producers in contemporary British pop, perhaps best known for his extended collaboration with Phil Collins. His career began during the early '80s, at which time he served as a recording engineer on high-profile projects including Peter Gabriel's third solo LP, XTC's Black Sea, and Yes' Drama. In 1981, Padgham graduated to production duties with the Police's Ghost in the Machine; that same year, he also produced Collins' Face Value, working with the singer on Genesis' Abacab as well. In 1982, Padgham reunited with Collins for Hello, I Must Be Going!, while also working again with XTC on the acclaimed English Settlement and with Split Enz on their Time and Tide; all were very successful, and in the wake of the blockbuster sales of the Police's 1983 LP Synchronicity and Genesis' self-titled smash, he became one of the most sought-after producers around.

Although David Bowie's dismal 1984 effort Tonight was a rare misstep, Padgham returned to form a year later with Collins' blockbuster No Jacket Required, which won a Grammy as Album of the Year. After wrapping up work on Genesis' 1986 smash Invisible Touch, he worked with Paul McCartney on Press to Play, but maintained an increasingly low profile over the remaining years of the decade, scoring his greatest commercial success with Collins' 1989 album ...But Seriously while also producing critically well-received efforts from Julian Cope (My Nation Underground) and Julia Fordham (Porcelain). In 1991, Padgham reunited with Sting for The Soul Cages, and worked with Michelle Shocked on Arkansas Traveler; Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales followed in 1993, as did Melissa Etheridge's hit Yes I Am. In 1996, he worked again with Collins on Dance into the Light and with Sting on Mercury Falling, effectively bringing his career full circle. During the 2000s Padgham continued to work with Sting, and also produced such albums as In Violet Light (2002) by the Tragically Hip and I Want You to Know That There Is Always Hope (2008) by I Was a Cub Scout. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi