Homosexuality has been a part of post-war popular music since its very inception. Until the early 70s, however, it wasn’t talked about openly in that world: it was coded, hidden, secret. This of course mirrored society - during the 50s and 60s, the gay community felt like outcasts: harassed by the police, demonised by the media and politicians, imprisoned simply for being who they were.

This compilation spans the time before and after Bowie, reflecting both the coded nature about the topic in the 50s and 60s and the greater openness that occurred in the early 70s. It begins in late 1955, with the extraordinary success of Little Richard; continues through early-60s pop and pop art; Tamla and soul, glam rock, the early 70s funk and disco that was played in the underground New York clubs, and then moves on to the omnipresence of disco, in the late 70s.

This double CD compilation is about freedom - and freedom for all. Whilst some of the artists identify as LGBTQ+, then or now, some are included simply because they were played in gay or lesbian clubs ― where their lyric or sound proved useful and enjoyable to the patrons - or because they were shaped in some way by the gay aesthetic or gay managers. It’s a love letter to the entwined world of music and sexuality in all its many guises and we hope you enjoy the ride.

1 I Hear a New World - Joe Meek & The Blue Men
2 Tutti-frutti - Little Richard & His Band
3 Esquerita and the Voola - Esquerita
4 Wondrous Place - Billy Fury
5 Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) - Frank D'Rone
6 Foot Stompin' - The Dovells
7 Johnny Remember Me - John Leyton
8 Peppermint Twist (Part 1) - Joey Dee & The Starliters
9 Sally, Go 'Round the Roses - The Jaynetts
10 You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore
11 Needle in a Haystack - The Velvelettes
12 Get Down With It - Bobby Marchan
13 I'll Be Your Mirror - The Velvet Underground and Nico
14 Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Elgins
15 Stand Up Straight and Tall - Jackie Shane
16 Women Is Losers - Big Brother & The Holding Company
17 No Stranger Am I - Norma Tanega
18 Pretty Golden Hair - Al Stewart
19 David Watts - The Kinks
20 Nothing But a Heartache - The Flirtations
21 Stand! - Sly & The Family Stone
22 Life & Death in G & A - Abaco Dream
23 Nathan Jones - The Supremes
24 Walk On the Wild Side - Lou Reed
25 Coochi-coo - Polly Perkins
26 I'm a Man - Jobriath
27 Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango
28 Law of the Land - The Temptations

Disc: 2
1 Get Dancin' Part 1 (Feat. Sir Monti Rock III) - Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes
2 Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
3 Nobody's Gonna Change Me - The Dynamic Superiors
4 Ain't Nobody Straight in L.A. - The Miracles
5 I Need a Man (12" Version) - Grace Jones
6 I Feel Love - Patrick Cowley
7 Orgasm Addict - Buzzcocks
8 Fuck Off - Wayne County and The Electric Chairs
9 Glad to Be Gay - Tom Robinson Band
10 I Was Born This Way (12" Version) - Carl Bean
11 Prison (12" Version) - Space
12 Disco Dance (Mega Mix) [12" Version] - Michele
13 I Need Somebody to Love Tonight (12" Version) - Sylvester