Producer Michael Baker has hit the dartboard of pop chart success several times since the late '80s, when he wandered over to England and helped a group called the Blow Monkeys get their message across. This resulted in a credit anyone connected with the recording industry, from janitor on up, could be proud of: having a song banned by the BBC. The track in this case was "Celebrate (The Day After You)," the celebration no doubt quite personal for the Blow Monkeys as the record was a chance to collaborate with no less a legend than Chicago soul and funk performer and composer Curtis Mayfield. The 1988 record, beautiful and adored by fans of vintage soul, was interpreted as too left wing for the BBC, also known for radically slashing play lists during the Gulf War to avoid the scent of anything controversial. The political slant seems to be more a reflection of the Blow Monkeys, a band that was part of the ultra-left Red Wedge tour. Baker himself seems to be more interested in a commercial triumph, with no percievable allegiance to any particular genre, let alone a political point of view. The Mayfield connection indicates a soul on his shoes, stylistically pursued by Baker on productions for artists such as Lisa B. But the producer did better with a cowboy hat artist, as in someone who wore one, the New England singer Grayson Hugh. A single, "Talk It Over," was Top 20 but was Hugh's only such achievement. While from appearance a country and western performer, Hugh's material was actually somewhat gospel-tinged. Baker has also co-produced material with Alex Kroll such as the Wet Wet Wet album Popped In Souled Out. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide