1999

Prince

Picture the scene, if you will. It’s getting towards the end of the year at a certain massive record company, they’ve released everything they’re going to in 1998 and, to be frank, it’s all gone a bit quiet. The Christmas party balloons are deflating, the sky is grey and Creme Eggs are available again from all good confectioners. In short, it’s that post-Christmas malaise, the sort of which usually has The Great Escape and The Wizard Of Oz on the TV listings. Then suddenly, from the back of the spacious yet badly air-conditioned open plan office, a tea boy pipes up, "Why don’t we release that Prince song? It’s timely, yet strangely funky and with it, man." This outburst had two results. Firstly, even though the tea boy was thinking of When Doves Cry, they release 1999 because it’s better. Secondly, said tea boy gets lynched because you’re not allowed to call him Prince anymore.

WILD WOOD

Paul Weller

Well it’s about time, really. There must be loads of Weller fans who’ve never experienced the psychedelic delights of the Portishead remix – sadly, there will still be loads of fans who’ve missed out because everyone’s favourite ex-Style Councillor (and the only one they can name) has decided to put this out as a strictly limited edition, which may seem a tad unfair but then this is effectively a re-release. As a result, everyone’s favourite ex-Jam member doesn’t want to be seen to be ripping off the public by promoting it with appearances on Live & Kicking and the like. How thoughtful. If only more people were that sweet, eh?