If you were inclined to put a location as the source of our americana compilation – although the music here largely originates from other parts of the great union – it would be california. with its vast open-plan landscape and one season (summer) per year, it typifies the expansive style of songwriting that is contained in this compilation. there’s arguably something in the climate that dictates much of our musical terrain, whether it be the sweaty loose-hipped funk of new orleans or the frenetic and frosty four-on-the-top of detroit’s motown. american songs are born out of an optimism that is probably piped in the water. i’d wager most of the acts we’ve compiled here shared – as well as a reticence to visit their barber – a love of crosby, stills, nash (& young) as, indeed, would any self-respecting music lover. this cadre of – mainly – white musicians, although clearly influenced by some african-american music, were the first generation not to be fixated solely by the music of black america. this was a flowering of something more general, less clearly defined, as hazy as an los angelean daybreak. what is notable about the music is that it’s neither black nor white, but contains elements of both, and though its influences undoubtedly derive from r&b (in the old meaning of the word), there are country, jazz, funk, rock and disco tinges to many of the songs. this is music for a summer’s day, with the barbecue smoking out steaks, the chardonnay on ice and the hubbub of happiness in the background. if you place it on your car stereo, we’ll guarantee you won’t get past the third song before you hit the nearest car dealership demanding a soft-top car. “something is wrong, she’s heading for la,” sings james walsh. deep down, i think we all are.