"When I joined JazzFm it was always in my mind to somehow get on the radio and launch a new record label. Luckily a very flexible, open minded management let me run with the idea and it became Hed Kandi. It was always my dream to release a compilation just like the one in your hand right now - 22 classics, each one extensively tested over the years and each one a personal favourite. To find out why we must go back in time...

In 1988 my brother and I started promoting a very commercial club night in West London. One night we visited Nicky Holloway's club 'SIN' at the Astoria. Pete Tong was DJ'ing and the club was packed full of tie dyed dayglo clubbers having a mad time. To say it was a spiritual experience may be overstating things but anyone that goes clubbing will know about those 'moments'. That night I left 'SIN' on a mission to reproduce the night at our club.

A quick change of flyers and 'Freestyle' at Haven Stables was born. It was a night that relied on the music so I duly ventured into the world of specialist record shops. At this point I must mention Craig at Trax, Dave at City Sounds and John and Simon at Rayners Lane. Most of the battered promos and American twelve inches that this CD was compiled from were supplied by them. Nothing really compared to the feeling when one of them handed you a brand new record from the US with the words "give this a listen I saved one for you".

The DJ line-up was myself and DJ Normski. We were joined by regular guests including Paul Gotel & Matthew B. The night was packed to the rafters and frequently spilled out onto the green opposite. Classic nights included the one where the dance floor enjoyed an indoor shower, everyone danced beneath it to cool down little knowing it came from the flooded toilets upstairs. Then there was the night of our first birthday party, we were full by 9pm and over 200 people carried on queuing 'til 12 in the hope of getting in. The venue itself soon became infamous due to our Thursday night, Brandon Block & Dean Thatchers Sunday afternoon and it's other club nights.

All too soon the club market outgrew us and after three very successful years it was time to call it a day. As time went by we heard more and more people reminiscing about the club and the music, it seemed everyone had a story or a favourite memory about Haven Stables or wanted to hear the classics again. Finally I took matters in hand and launched Back To Love.

Back To Love is a roving club night and has its home in a variety of venues from Ealing to central London. The play list is a broad mix of anthems old and new, the crowd are older than the average club crowd and the atmosphere is pure spirit of '89. Myself and Normski still DJ and have been joined by Matt Collins the younger brother of one of our original guests DJ's!

You now have the CD of those nights. It may not contain the cheers as we drop Richie Havens, the screams when the crowd hears the first bars of Patti Day, or the cries of one more, when we just have to annoy the doorman and play Back To Love way past the time. Hopefully this is just the beginning, there are many more classic tracks just waiting to be included on a follow up. If all goes well I promise you'll be seeing a Back To Love 2!

Enjoy.

Mark Doyle - Thanks!"
 

V/A BACK TO LOVE HEDK007	V/A NU COOL 3 HEDKOO1	V/A SERVE CHILLED HEDK002
V/A WINTER CHILL HEDK006	AFTERLIFE SIMPLICITY HEDK003	ANTHEA WORDS & BEATS HEADK004

Hed Kandi The Broadcast...
Every Saturday night/Sunday Morning 1am - 5am
JazzFm 102.2 London
JazzFm 100.4 North West
or worldwide on www.hedkandi.com

For more information, log into
The Hed Kandi website
www.hedkandi.com