Madonna signs top UK DJ

NEW YORK (AP) - One of the world's top club DJs, Paul Oakenfold, has signed a record deal with Madonna's label Maverick. The British DJ has already worked with the superstar, remixing her recent single What It Feels Like For A Girl.

Other British acts, such as the Prodigy, have landed a US deal with the company and Oakenfold's first release is set to be released next year. "Paul's instinct and talent are undeniable," said Madonna. "I couldn't be happier having him join the Maverick family."

Acclaim

Oakenfold is himself something of a musical prodigy. He originally trained as a chef, decided to pursue a career in music after being introduced to DJ-ing by a friend in 1981.
Since then he has spearheaded the huge growth in the role of DJs in dance music and is perhaps best known for helping launch Ibiza as a dance party destination.

He has produced U2 and New Order and recently won acclaim for his soundtrack to John Travolta's movie Swordfish.

He has also become known as one of the world's top remixers - and remixed the theme to the Tim Burton-directed Planet of the Apes.

He was recently the headline DJ on Moby's Area:One festival tour of North America.

Guy Oseary, Madonna's partner in Maverick, said: "We're excited to be working with Paul.
"As a DJ, he's the best at what he does and we're anxious to help him reach the widest audience possible as an electronic artist."