Epic Records has snatched producer du jour Mirwais right out from under Madonna's nose, as they plan to release the electronic wizard's U.S. debut album Production on February 27th. The studio ace -- hailed by many as the father of French electronica -- was all but unknown outside the borders of his native country until Madonna's pal, video director Stephane Sednaoui, gave the her a DAT of Mirwais' first European single, "Disco Science" . . . and the rest is history.

Mirwais produced six songs for Madonna's Music album, including the title track, which is up for a Record of the Year Grammy. He also has an entry on the soundtrack to director (and Madonna's husband) Guy Ritchie's new movie, Snatch.

The first single from Production is "Naïve Song," which is already getting play in select U.S. dance clubs.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(January 24, 2001)