HERE'S a pleasingly bonkers idea, a 40-track compilation linked with the loosest of threads.

The mod and ska theme embraces anyone and everyone from Madness (One Step Beyond, House Of Fun) to The Specials (A Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young), with The Kinks (You Really Got Me) and even Paul Weller (A Town Called Malice, That's Entertainment) thrown into the eclectic mix. Familiar oldies such as Desmond Dekker's The Israelites and Althea & Donna's Uptown Top Ranking stand alongside rarer finds, such as Symarrip's Skinhead Moonstomp, Rico's Oh Carolina - a true delight - and Let's Do Rocksteady by The Bodysnatchers. With contributions too from Special AKA, The Selecter, Fun Boy Three and Dexys Midnight Runners, this is top-class party music.

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, July 14, 2005