The man who played an important role in Smith's solo success is a dyed-in-the-wool studio professional, with an impressive pedigree going back to the late 1980s. The two songs and the album all topped the UK charts, while 'Stay With Me' was number five on the Billboard singles chart in the US at the time of writing. Yet in the first half of 2014 Smith scored two big solo hits, 'Money On My Mind' and 'Stay With Me', while In The Lonely Hour charted high in many different countries around the world. While it was clear that someone with a great voice had arrived on the scene, there were no inklings that this would instantly lead to a successful international solo career. Photo: Steve FitzmauriceSmith first caught the world's attention at the end of 2012 as the featured singer on Disclosure's hit song 'Latch', and a few months later when he fulfilled the same role on Naughty Boy's international mega-hit 'La La La'. The producer, mixer and engineer had a hand in the making of eight of the album's 10 tracks, and his emphasis on Smith's voice, as well as on economy of means in the arrangements, played an important role in the album's astonishing success.

The album Fitzmaurice is talking about is Sam Smith's debut, In The Lonely Hour, released in May. His vocals had to be at the centre, and we stripped away everything that got in the way.” So when we made his album, the vocals were the key. The first time I recorded him, laying down his vocals on 'Money On My Mind', it was immediately obvious what an amazing talent he is.

He sings completely effortlessly and natural. He is the best singer I have worked with since I worked those legends. 'I've been lucky enough to work with some of the world's greatest singers, like Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Cher and Seal,” says Steve Fitzmaurice, 'and Sam is easily in the same league. When an unknown act such as Sam Smith hits the big time, there's often an experienced producer behind the scenes - like Steve Fitzmaurice.

Sam smith in the lonely hour vinyl