With the benefit of hindsight, which producer would you like to have collaborate with Queen while they were still active?
Enlisting the services of Mack in the late 70s was a smart choice on the band's part, knowingly or not. The Game is still one of their best sounding albums. It completely prepped them for the big 80s sound.
Personally, I would love if they teamed up with Nile Rodgers for Hot Space. I think that album would've sounded amazing with an authentic disco/funk guru at the helms.
Problem is though, I know the band were stubborn so I'm thinking they may have clashed creatively... which is why I guess they kept working with "yes men".
Indeed, Nile Rodgers might have turned Hot Space into a masterpiece. He was/is able to change mediocre songs into something special. Just look at his track-record as a producer/arranger on wikipedea (link. He also inspired John Deacon to write Another one bites the dust. Other candidates for me are Todd Rundgren(Meat Loaf), Jeff Lynne(ELO) or Trevor Horne could also be interesting.
In terms of production Hot Space is great. Even Mack has admited. Just listen Back chat, Staying power, life is real and cool cat. Clever work by the producer. Also Princes of the universe from AKOM is the best edited song by far. It has so much detail it is genius work.
In terms of creative decisions Queen was a self-produced band from the early days, they didn't need a famous producer to shape their sound, only a technical producer.
Mack did a great job and David Richards a lousy one, but they had a greater impact on the albums than one would expect from a technical producer.
That's because Queen members were not used to do any homework before starting the recordings for a new album.
News Of The World 2 produced by Steve Albini as he was only 16 when NOTW was released.
But Nile Rogers and George Martin would have been interesting as others mentioned... Nile on Hot Space or Works... Martin on Innuendo.
RTB on the first 5 albums was essential - so no need rethink it.
QUEEN with JIMMY JAM and TERRY LEWIS.
And if Freddie had survived: QUEEN 2000 the "comeback album" with guest "stars" produced by Clive Davis..... standout track features Missy Misdemeanor Elliott and P!nk.
:-D
But seriously: i liked their production on everything but JAZZ....it sounds pretty awful. INNUENDO is a bit thin and flat on the frequencies....very tinny and high/mid rangey
Wonder if the source material is "fatter" or if this was a concession in production to the digital drums and Freddies thinning but powerful voice.
A return to form album produced by Chris Tsangerides or just back to Mack. ... they made great sounding rock/metal albums in the 90's
Mack was not only a technical producer. He gave ideas to the band. For example, in Crazy Little Thing Called Love Brian played with Stratocaster because Mack said to him it would sound more 50's.
Another one bites the dust was possible because of John, Freddie and Mack.
Mack did a good job in Hot Space. Said that Nile Rodgers was the best option to produce that album by far.
I did an interview with Nile Rodgers and he said to me when Chic was rehearsal Good Times, John was in the studio with them.
Don't forget about Spike Edney, the indispensable live shows producer. He evolved a lot from "it's nice to have a few pads in the background" (as Brian said about him in an 1989 interview).
No artist with a clear image of himself (like Michael Jackson for example), would let the keyboard man to lead. But hey, this is Queen, they are all friends (of Brian).