Something I've discovered after a gap of a couple of years or so is the satisfaction of putting together a compilation tape. Believe you me gang, it was a task that was de rigeur for yours truly back in the day. Approaching the task with an almost military-like precision, I must have spent literally days, nay weeks, attempting to put together that all important, definitive listening tape for say, an up coming car journey or holiday. In fact on many an occasion my record and CD collection has been left strewn across my flat in that quest to find a copy of Georgie Fame's 'In The Meantime' or The BMX Bandits' 'Serious Drugs' for inclusion on a specific tape. An art in itself
The knack of compiling a good tape/ album and creating a flowing mood is an art in itself in my humble opinion, and it's something that not everybody can pull off. BBC London's Peter Young has certainly done so for my money on an imminent, lovingly compiled collection entitled 'Southern Soul Cellar' (Dome)...a tasty assortment of Deep Southern soul music from the Malaco label archives which features classics from the likes of Bobby Womack, Lou Rawls, Shirley Brown and Bobby Blue Bland. Lovely.  | | A taste of summer with Paul and the Style Council |
In fact I once had the good fortune myself to compile a summer-themed album for Polydor back in the 80s (yes, I'm really that old!) entitled 'A Taste Of Summer'. A peachy collection, I was extremely proud of what I thought was a winnin' mix of sunkissed tunes from an eclectic roster including Wham, Gilberto Gil, Julia and Company and the Style Council. A stall full of memories
It's funny, but while visiting Brick Lane market on a rainy Sunday morning a few months back, I noticed the cassette version of the afore-mentioned album lying forlornly on a stall amongst a bunch of others. Needless to say I had to ask the stallholder how much he wanted for it. 25p! Old sentimentalist that I am, I simply had to buy it. The thought of it lying there, rain-sodden week in and week out would have given me nightmares! I'm pleased to say with summer here, it's now on heavy rotation in the ol' charabanc and being blasted across the capital loudly and proudly. I do like a happy ending, don't you? | 
Listen live
Click through amazing shots of London from high up in a helicopter!