As a superstar producer and DJ in his own right, Paul Oakenfold clearly knows what the public want. Therefore it is no surprise he has fallen under Madonna’s radar to work with her on more than occasion. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk the 61-year-old London native revealed what is is really like to be in the studio with the living legend. As a producer, he worked on the title track from her 2009 album Celebration and also broken (I’m Sorry). He also contributed production to the bonus track It’s So Cool. 

Asked if she tries to control the process he said “When I was producing with her, we’re there in the studio together, and you have artistic, creative conversations.. You’re not in a room with Madonna unless you’ve earned it – I can tell you that. She does have the respect to listen to the ideas that you’re coming with, because you’re in the room as the producer with her. But of course, at the end of the day, it’s her record, her decisions on what she wants.”

Paul began his career just a few years before Madonna in 1980, and has remixed track for or produced some huge names alongside his work as a globe-trotting trance DJ.

While it may sound like a glamourous existence he admits sometimes things can get tense in the studio – although he won’t reval which artists are difficult to work with.

“It’s really frustrating at the end of the day, if you’re producing an artist (who won’t take your ideas on board). That is their record, and it’s their decision. So I try and talk them out of it.

“But,  without naming names. I’ve had that with some acts I’ve produced. It’s like having one arm tied behind my back.They want me to do a job because they want the sound I can deliver, and then they say ‘no, no, no’, and I’m like, ‘you’re just watering down what I do’. And that won’t work,” he reflects.

Surprisingly he admits he has rejected a lot of work offers over the years. “I’ve turned down a lot because if you hire me, I know what works on the dance floor.

“If I hear your record and I’m think that ain’t gonna work I know already, so I would say: ‘No, you know what, it’s best I don’t do it because it won’t work’.

“The advantage I have is every weekend I’m travelling, playing at these festivals or clubs, so I see what works. I know what sounds work. So that’s the advantage I bring as a DJ producer,” he says.

He is set to see what UK crowds are loving next month when he appears at the Reminise Festival in Liverpool on September 8. “I love travelling through Europe in the summer, playing all the festivals with sun shining and people are more upbeat and happy,” he said. “It’s also great in the UK to see old friends because I live abroad I only get to see them once or twice a year.

Paul is performing at Reminisce Festival on Saturday 6^th September in Sherdley Park, St Helens Liverpool Tickets available here