When The Style Council’s debut album Café Bleu was released in 1984, Weller and wing-man Mick Talbot unveiled a cosmopolitan blend of jazz, soul, and pop that felt effortlessly sophisticated and daringly fresh. Café Bleu was more than a debut—it was a statement of intent, redefining what British pop could sound like in a new decade.
Since then, fans have been waiting for a deep dive into the Style Council vaults eager to hear any unreleased material. And now the wait is over.
The Café Bleu Special Edition is a treasure trove for Style Council devotees and music lovers alike – an immersive journey into one of the most inventive eras of Paul Weller’s career. This lavish release unveils a wealth of previously unheard material, including early demos, alternate takes, and unreleased songs that showcase the band’s restless drive for experimentation and evolution. Adding even more depth, the set features an extraordinary collection of BBC session and live recordings, capturing the band in full creative flight. Completing the package are superb new sleeve notes from broadcaster and longtime Café Bleu champion Gary Crowley, offering fresh insight into this timeless classic’s enduring legacy.
Highlights from the collection include:
CD1 – Extended edition of Introducing… The Style Council.
CD2 – Café Bleu full album. As well as the two hit singles “My Ever Changing Moods” and “You’re The Best Thing”, stand-out tracks on the original Café Bleu include “Headstart for Happiness” and “The Paris Match” which features Tracey Thorn on vocals.
CD3 – All related singles, B-sides, remixes, and demos from that era.
CD4 – Unreleased demos, Outtakes & Alternate Versions, including:
An early demo of “Long Hot Summer” (Aug 1982) showing its evolution from “Le Départ” offering a fascinating insight into its evolving musical journey.
“Boy Hairdresser” (written for Respond artist Tracie Young).
Extended 6:31 version of “The Paris Match” and early variant “Summertime Song.”
Unreleased instrumental gems from Mick Talbot including a jazzier “Party Chambers” and “Mick’s Demo.”
CD5 & CD6 – BBC Sessions & Live Performances made available for release for the first time, including:
Live recordings from Cheltenham’s Gold Diggers and London’s Dominion Theatre.
BBC Radio One sessions (1983) for David Jensen and Saturday Live, featuring standout versions of “Headstart for Happiness,” “The Paris Match,” “Long Hot Summer,” and “My Ever Changing Moods.”
