'sfunny how different genres have different 'signature' formats: Rock gets the long-player album, maybe with a gatefold sleeve. Pop exists on 7" vinyl, sometimes with those funny little clip in discs that meant it can be played on conventional decks or a jukebox. Punk gets 7" discs as well - but maybe with a crap paper sleeve rather than a glossy one. Chicago House sits best on 12" white label imports. (On reflection, I think there's something about the anonymity of some music packaging that makes it feel more authentic to me. A kind of puritanical focus purely on sound - the loss of other frippery somehow making the experience reek less of marketed consumption). 80's indie, as far as I'm concerned, only exists on Maxell C90 cassettes. Reggae, on the other hand, doesn't have a format at all. No-one 'owns' reggae. It's just something that happens when sufficiently large sets of speakers congregate together...

In this model, where does the compilation album sit? Let's face it, when Mum and Dad drive off and students are left to arrange their little room in halls to showcase their right on, but ironic, pop zeitgeist credibility, they never put compilation albums at the front of the pile do they? Compilations reek too much of 'Ibiza Rave Nite Klub Mix '97' and bargain bins on garage forecourts. You don't need all those dance trax in one continuous mix do you? Nah, got 'em all on import months ago mate.... There's something just too easy about compilations. 'Superstition' is a great record (just shut up...right?) - so of course, I got it on vinyl - track six on 'Talking Book' - have I buggery - haven't got a record player - mine's on something called 'Now That's What I Call Funky -37' or whatever.... I run a Doctor Who blog - I don't need the credibility....

Even worse is the compilation tape: - A hand crafted declaration of love to some girl you fancy at work. So casually tossed their way : 'Oh yeah, was doing a tape, thought you'd like a copy', but reeking of self-conscious effort. Will she spot the ironic inclusion of track four? Does she get pre-80's Stevie Wonder or has Ebony & Ivory soiled the legacy?..... yuck..... you can almost feeling the greasy keen-ness slithering off them....

But dance music would be dead without them: I still own about forty 'super hardcore mental techno' tapes given to me by a student years ago. Do any of these tracks have an existence outside of compilations? Did any folk actually buy and cherish these tracks as individuals? Difficult to imagine. It's certainly the case that most of my experience of a whole variety of dance genres is entirely restricted to compilations, but hey, as I said, it's OK for me to own up to this stuff these days.

Now I know many of you just sneak over here for the free Mp3's and don't like to get too conversational, (I'll put you out of your misery now - there ain't gonna be one) but stop and answer me this: What is, out there, the pinnacle of credible compilation albums? One that goes beyond the quality of the individual tracks and somehow, by the sheer act of juxtaposing them on one album, takes it all onto another level?

I was wondering about that NME C86 thing, and I also maintain a sneaking admiration for the CNT Label's 'They Shall Not Pass' which proves that electro gothdom, barking like a dog and slagging off Thatcher could be a surprisingly appealing combination.

So, over to you.......


(Oh and, if you did come looking for MP3's - why not head over to the inspired Dalston Oxfam Shop - you wanna download compilations, they got compilations..)