'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 striking 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.'' Surprises have always been part of the artistic vernacular for the man who changed rock forever with The Jam, explored a host of eclectic influences with The Style Council and cemented his position as the patriarch of Brit pop with his legendary solo work. 22 Dreams is the latest chapter in a creative journey spanning 30 years, with material spanning the full breadth of popular music rock to classical, avant garde to funk and spoken word to experimental.
In addition to a cast of Weller s frequent collaborators including Steve Cradock and producer Simon Dine, 22 Dreams also features some of the largest beneficiaries of Weller s incalculable musical influence. Noel Gallagher and Gem from Oasis lend their talents to Echoes Around the Sun, a writing collaboration between Weller and Gallagher. Ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon appears on Black River. The spirit of collaboration and an in-the-moment creative approach have resulted in one of Weller s most spirited works and one that is sure to expand the artistic canon of the one and only Modfather.
