"After As Is Now, I thought the time was right to make the sort of record I wanted to make," says Paul Weller of the creative process which led to his extraordinary ninth solo album 22 Dreams. "Instead of worrying about anyone else, I wanted to really push the boat out. I think the result is going to surprise a few people." 22 Dreams is a kaleidoscopic tour de force incorporating rock, funk, soul, free jazz, Krautrock, classical, spoken word, electronica and all stops in between. Featuring an illustrious roll-call of guest musicians including Noel Gallagher and Gem from Oasis, Graham Coxon ('Black River'), Little Barrie ('22 Dreams') and folk guitarist John McCrusker ('Light Nights'), 22 Dreams is a record "designed to be listened to in one sitting, in the same way that Pet Sounds or Sgt Pepper were." Indeed. In a climate where download culture seems to have relegated the album to a marketing ploy, 22 Dreams stands as a reminder of days when LPs were designed to challenge as well as thrill the audience. From the glorious blue-eyed soul of 'Have You Made Up Your Mind?' to the staggering psych-pop of Weller/Gallagher collaboration 'Echoes Around the Sun' it is crammed full of classic tunes, yet as raw and visceral as anything The Modfather has ever produced.