In a lived-in recording studio, tucked away in West London, we find ourselves surrounded by limited-edition trainers, a piranha tank, a bunch of Music Week magazines and a very special plaque.

That plaque has the face of one Emeli Sande on it, as well as a magic seven-figure number: 1,000,000.

Sande’s million-selling debut LP, Our Version Of Events, was created here. And the gentleman, friend and production and writing partner largely instrumental in the signature sound of her mainstream solo ...