on the face of it, an unusually eclectic collection of musicians and songs, but there is a continuity to be found and enjoyed in this beautifully packaged set from berlin's 25 records. the original concept started a few years ago with a record shop which had such conviction in its own sense of taste that it only put on sale 25 titles each month, clearing the racks at the end of the period to take in the next month's offering. it worked! the shop did so well that two more were opened in germany; small enough to be in real contact with the tastes of their public and large-minded enough to look around for what was not racked out in the local supermarket. then, when commercial concerns became involved and expanded the formula up to 20 stores, the whole thing crumbled. the spirit remained in a label of the same name, 25 records. two distinctly different sides offering a range of taste-driven songs for discovery and delight, all packaged in a prize-winning designed digipack double set.