he rejoined the band for their 2000 tour. During his tenure with Prefab Sprout, Conti also became a session musician, playing on records by many well known artists. He backed David Bowie in 1985 sessions that produced "Absolute Beginners" and "That’s Motivation". He featured on further Bowie recordings – "Dancing in the Street" with Mick Jagger, "Chilly Down" and "Thru' These Architects Eyes" – and played in Bowie's band for his Live Aid set in July 1985. In late 1987, Conti performed with Level 42 on their USA tour after Phil Gould departed the band. In 1993, he released Funky Drums From Hell, an album of soul grooves intended for sampling. Backstage Club In 1989 Neil Conti and Raye Cosbert (who later become promoter of Massive Attack and manager of Amy Winehouse) started "Backstage", a live bi-weekly music club for artists to meet and jam together. Neil's motivation was the closing of the famous Speakeasy Club - a popular watering hole for London musicians to meet up. The club was based at the Borderline in Charing Cross Road, later moving to the Jazz Café in Camden. The club spawned many imitations in the Soho area and became a hotbed of talent and A&R men, launching the careers of Ronnie Jordan, Seal, Keziah Jones, Juliet Roberts and D-Influence among others. The club was featured in an MTV documentary and recorded a live CD, sponsored by Levi's. Neil terminated the club in 1992 due to time constraints and conflicts with his session work. Present Following a move to France in 2001, Conti opened a recording studio in Montpellier, where he produces artists. Still an active drummer, he frequently travels to London to work or, alternatively, provides drum tracks by internet from his studio in France. The studio, Minimoon, is staffed by him and recording engineer Jeff Fernandez. Selected credits You're My Number One - Nils Landgren (1985) Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - David Bowie (1986) Boat to Bolivia - Martin Stephenson and the Daintees (1986) Hello Angel - Sandie Shaw (1988) Surprise - Syd Straw (1989) Trading Secrets with the Moon - The Adventures (1989) The Same Sky - Horse (1990) Uncertain Pleasures - Mary Coughlan (1990) Other Voices - Paul Young (1990) Dreamworld - Steve Booker (1990) Hoodoo - Alison Moyet (1991) Le Manteau de pluie - Jean-Louis Murat (1991) Ser de Agua - Presuntos Implicados (1991) Whaler