AT A TIME WHEN NEW MUSIC is saturating the Internet, here's the latest SongLink CD in a slightly revised format, which simply offers what it says on the tin: potential gold songs from songwriters and music publishers who subscribe to SongLink International tipheet. This new collection features tracks from writers in the UK, Ireland, Norway, USA, Canada and from Indian-born Shayan, whose epic ballad Armour Of Love is extraordinary for an unsigned writer.

There's also something of a Liverpool theme running through the CD, as not only have I taken the opportunity of including my own Beatles tribute, Remember (Gold Songs), but also some great new tracks by the latest crop of graduates of LIPA, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts of which I was honoured to be made a Companion a few years ago. Every year I present the SongLink Prizes at Graduation Day which is attended by Lead Patron Sir Paul McCartney and other dignitaries, with the winning writers chosen from a bunch of great songs submitted by third-year students.

This year, LIPA's always-high standard of songwriting and musicianship is unusually strong, so I'm pleased to include tracks by newcomers like Fables, Ashley Theberge, Untouched and Emma Winterbourne to help them on their way in the business. Hopefully they'll be following in the footsteps of other LIPA successes like Sandie Thom, the Wombats, the Zutons and Jon Allen (featured on a previous SLCD) to name but a few. The Liverpool theme also continues with three cuts from regular SongLink CD track supplier, Ken Maclean of Dedleg Music, based at Liverpool's top studio Parr Street. New artists Adele-Marie, Francis & Master and The Support offer three great songs in very different styles, while Ken has also recently produced Dedleg's own compilation CD After The Party... featuring 21 songs by eight artists who performed in Liverpool during its year as European Capital Of Culture 2008.

Other stand-outs include two great co-writes by Tim Fraser and Phil Manikiza, who have serious credits with such names as Tina Turner, Lulu, Aswad, Julian Lennon and others. Also check out Dave Charles's delightfully witty take on the sexy French sung by 15-year old Absie, along with other choice selections from our subscribers. Songs are the lifeblood of the industry, and the art and business of great songwriting still flourishes. So please take the time to listen to one of our strongest CDs to date, with at least a few of these tracks hopefully set to become future hits. Enjoy!

David Stark Editor/Publisher SongLink International

tel: 020 7794 2540 mob: 07956 270592 david@songlink.com