Tradition in Japan has you clean your home, from top to bottom, on New Year’s Eve, to get ready  for, and welcome, the 12 months to come.  Out with all the old clutter that you’ve accumulated, to make way for the new. With windows cleaned, shelves dusted, and floors polished, I’ve also had a go at my hard drive, and found a few things lurking there. The first of these being the “mixes” that I put together in preparation for The Lizard’s wedding. Four hours of music that I thought might make an appropriate soundtrack for the celebration’s warm-up – not knowing the crowd, or how long I would play, but sure that I would be handing over to the marvelous 6 Million Steps, at some stage. My “remit” was a mash-up of classic soul and Balearic beats, and there are a few requests in here from the happy couple that hopefully helped me join the dots. 

The wedding was the defining event of the year for me, not just because it allowed me to see a lot of my old friends at once and “Go Bang!”, but because it also gave me the chance to fly back and visit my folks for the first time since the poxy pandemic hit. For a minute I even considered selling up and moving to Malaga where the ceremony and party were held. For a minute the idea of being semi-retired in the sun, surrounded by my best mates, sounded like fun. The reality I guess would be like The Last Of The Summer Wine, but in Torremolinos, and I`d be the one wearing Wellington boots. Hair like a birds nest. Piece of string for a belt. Certainly not the stuff my wife’s dreams are made of. 

Anyhow… We had these prep mixes playing at home today as we worked, and while they would have proved a disaster on the big day – people at weddings only dance to songs that EVERYONE knows – they lifted our spirits, so I thought I`d share them. There is a message in the music. X

Limited Download.

Part 1

Isley Brothers – Who’s That Lady

Barbara Streisand – Guilty

Tina Turner – Whole Lotta Love

Gwen Mcrae – 90% Of Me Is You

Pointer Sisters – Don`t It Drive You Crazy

Heatwave – Star Of The Story

Joe Cruz & The Cruzettes – Love Song

Meters – Just Kissed My Baby

Sade – Love Is Stronger Than Pride (Mad Professor Mix)

Grace Jones – La Vie En Rose

Derrick Laro & Trinity – Don`t Stop…

Barbara Lynn – You Make Me So Hot

Part 2

Sisters Love – Give Me Your Love

Simply Red – Its Only Love

The Cure – Close To Me

Archie Bell & The Dells – Don`t Let Love Get You Down

Tania Maria – Come With Me

Eugene Record – Overdose Of Joy

Sweet Charles – Yes Its You

Sade – Paradise

Dennis Brown – Love Has Found Its Way

Brand New Heavies – I Don`t Know…

Marvin Gaye – I Want You

Bob Marley – Could You Be Loved

Part 3

Barry White – Its Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me

Sister Sledge – Thinking Of You

Lighthouse Family – Question Of Faith (Idjut Boys Mix)

Achilifunk – I Believe In Miracles

Fern Kinney – Groove Me

Taja Seville – Love Is Contagious (Ben Liebrand Mix)

Mandy Smith – I Just Cant Wait

Double Exposure – My Love Is Free

Sophisticated Ladies – This Aint Really Love

Part 4

Change – Glow Of Love

Emotions – I Dont Want To Lose Your Love

Temptations – Aint Too Proud To Beg

Alison Limerick – Where Love Lives

Ashford & Simpson – The Boss (Mark Seven Edit)

Booker T – Dont Stop

Prince – Wanna Be Your Lover

Fleetwood Mac – Big Love

Jackie Wilson – Sweetest Feeling

Eastwest Connection – Love Music

Alive – Skindo Le Le