Stanley Road - Paul Weller

So while all the huff, puff and hubris surrounding th antics of Blur and Oasis were taking all of the headlines, Paul Weller was quietly getting on with creating one of the best albums of his career, if not all time. In his own words, the stars were aligned during the writing and recording of this masterpiece - although I think he is doing himself a disservice to even hint that fate had a hand.

'Stanley Road' tops of a trio of astounding albums that started with the self titled debut and 'Wild Wood'. It's intent is clearly signalled with the opening track 'The Changingman'. A blast of a song. Add to this the gorgeous 'You Do Something To Me', the often overlooked 'Out Of Sinking' and a guest appearance by Steve Winwood and you have a classic British album. With added soul.

This period, and in particular this album, will always remind me of summer in Granby Place in Leeds; the door open in our back-to-back house, music drifting across the warm and humid summer air. It was a great time. We had our own place, even if it did only have five rooms, we were living in a vibrant city and everything seemed possible. And mostly it was......as long as it didn't cost too much!