ARIF MARDIN Interview – Part 1 (video version)

With more than forty gold and platinum albums, over 15 Grammy nominations and seven Grammy Awards. Arif Mardin consistently arranged and produced hits for over forty years hits for Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Hall & Oates, Brandy, Carly Simon, Roberta Flack, Patti LaBelle, Laura Nyro, Phil Collins, Jewel, the Bee Gees, Ringo Starr, Michael McDonald, Eric Clapton, Gladys Knight, Scritti Politti, Culture Club and Willie Nelson. His relationship with Chaka Khan was particularly fruitful resulting in hits like I Feel For You, I’m Every Woman and What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me.

Mardin has worked in virtually every musical style producing everything from classical to film music, from the 1966 Young Rascals hit Good Lovin’ to The Modern Jazz Quartet. In 2002 he scored another hit with his own discovery Norah Jones. Come Away With Me became the second highest selling album of the year.

I interviewed Arif at his NYC home in 2002 for my BBC series “Richard Niles’ History of Pop Arranging”. This rare and historically valuable interview is a good example of the unique content you get by subscribing to RADIO RICHARD.

ARIF MARDIN Interview – Part 1 (video version)

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[mrsupportfriend]

I was blessed to meet Arif and have him produce one of my songs "Your Place or Mine" on Melissa Manchester. I also had the blessing of being in the studio to watch Arif record the rhythm tracks for Chaka Khan's version of "We Can Work it Out". The legendary keyboard player Greg Phillinganes was playing the mini moog bass with his left hand and fender rhodes with his right. Joining him was Michael Sembello on guitar and Raymond Pounds on drums. The spirit of Stevie Wonder via Wonderlove was in the house that day!!! Greg did the rhythm arrangement and Arif produced and arranged the horns and strings. They did a few takes to get the take that made the record and all the takes were hot! My favorite string arrangement of Arif's is "Where Is The Love" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. That string arrangement is a masterclass in arranging strings that compliment the singers, but also is important to the overall record. Arif also produced that record. In addition to being a wonderful producer and arranger he was a wonderful human being.

[KereBuchanan]

Wow.. I haven't seen this. My fav Producer. Wonderful stuff Richard, K.

[djkreeayeshun]

I’m now finding out he’s responsible for a lot of tracks that I play often!

[rasihozturk]

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful interview! Arif Mardin has always been a great influence and a role model for me as a young musician, producer. Looking forward to watching the second part!

[britturk]

Thank you for this gem, Richard Niles.

[cababyboomerq]

Does he talk about working with the Bee Gees in this interview? They really thought the world of his talent.