Paul Weller / Classic Album Selection: 5CD box set

Universal Music will issue a five-disc Paul Weller Classic Album Selection box set in September.

It will contain Weller’s first five solo records; Paul Weller (1992), Wild Wood (1993), Stanley Road (1995), Heavy Soul (1997) and Heliocentric (2000).

It’s a pretty strong selection. The first few albums certainly live up to the billing but whether even the most diehard Weller fan would describe Heliocentric as a ‘classic’ album with a straight face is debatable.

Nevertheless, if you’ve only ever bought one of the many Weller hits collections you’re in for a treat and at around £20 for five CDs in ‘vinyl replica’ wallets and an outer slipcase, it almost beyond criticism. No confirmation of the track listings, but don’t expect any bonus tracks (a pedant might suggest Hung Up is a bonus track on Wild Wood, since it wasn’t on the very original issue, but you know what I mean…).

‘Vol 1’ obviously suggests a second ‘Selection’ will follow, but it will not match this, despite the quality of 22 Dreams and (to a lesser degree) Wake Up The Nation.

Paul Weller’s Classic Album Selection is released on 8 September 2014.

• • UK Pre-order: Paul Weller – Classic Albums Selection
• • GERMANY Pre-order: Paul Weller – Classic Albums Selection