The People’s Republic of Stepney I released my last album, Branch Road almost 5 years ago after 25 years of self-imposed musical retirement. You were all very charming about it. Since then I've been recording songs at the break-neck pace of about two a year. Finally I've cobbled together enough material to release another album. Branch Road raised awareness and funds for some wonderful charities. All the proceeds from this record will go to Key4Life, a charity started and run by our good friend Eva Hamilton MBE. If there were a few more Eva's around, the world would be a better place. Eva started and ran the Warrior Programme to help military veterans struggling with their return to normal civilian life. This is now heavily backed by the government. Key4Life is her new project and it needs our support.  It is focused on rehabilitating young offenders caught in a desperate cycle of drugs, gangs and gun crime. These kids are rapidly becoming a lost generation and everybody deserves their chance in life. Learn more about their wonderful work at www.key4life.org.uk. Please pay as much as you like for this record. The recording, production, mastering and packaging costs are all paid for, so every penny, other than the distribution costs and the royalties I happily pay the other artists to cover songs goes to the charity. All contributions will be gratefully received no matter how big or small. I record for fun but it's a nice outcome if others can derive some benefit. Meanwhile I hope it puts a smile on your face. The title of the album makes reference to Stepney, the place of my birth and a wonderful melting pot when growing up, of cultures, religions, characters, sounds and smells. I hope the variety of the music reflects that. Everybody tells me how rough it was in the East End in those days, but it didn't feel like that to me thanks largely to a great family and a close knit community. Simple things, that don't exist today for many young adults. This is why Key4Life has such relevance. I'd like to thank the usual suspects. The irrepressible Mrs Cav and the Cavettes for putting up with my long periods of hibernation in the studio, and the repetitive stress of listening to the same songs over and over again at various stages of recording. You all bring me such joy and are always so encouraging. I recorded Branch Road largely on my own, but I decided to collaborate on this one and I'd like to thank Ann 'Thunderlungs' Bailey, Ian East and Jon Wright for their contributions. And especially my old mate Vic Abbott, who plays guitar on 'The Ugly Things.' I hope he forgives me for rubbing out his guitar solo. I'd especially like to thank the album sponsors highlighted in the CD booklet who collectively contributed £. XXX      in funds before the album was even released. Your generosity has been overwhelming and I am very touched. Finally I'd like to dedicate this record to one of life's great unsung heroes, Peter Adams, my teacher at Nicholas Gibson Primary School in Stepney, He took a bunch of snotty kids under his wing and taught us the art of discipline and self respect, and instilled a belief that anything is possible in life regardless of where you come from, or what colour or creed you are. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel sure the work Key4Life does will have a similar effect on a number of lives, so thank you in advance of your generosity. John 2015