Brad is a drummer and has played live and recorded with artists including Jamie Cullum, Amy Winehouse, Paolo Nutini, Mika, Gary Barlow amongst others. It was a really tough process to whittle all his favourite music down to eight tracks. Here they are: 

1. Help Me - Joni Mitchell

My wife and I have always shared a love of Joni Mitchell and her music. Joni is an incomparable, uncompromising artist who has had the courage to let the listener into the tragedies and elations of her life through her genius songwriting. We began our wedding ceremony with this song and our daughter’s middle name is Joni. 

2. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police

The Police are one of my favourite bands. Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland’s respective musical sensibilities and personal differences alchemised into such original, exciting music. I started playing drums at a young age playing along to music on my Dad’s drum kit and this was a favourite - the last section from 2m 59s onwards never fails to give me goosebumps. 

3. Ubi Caritas - Paul Mealor

This is a stunning piece of choral music which somehow manages to feel both ancient yet modern. It’s a testament to the power of religious music that it can be so affecting even if, like me, one is not religious. This always makes me nostalgic for the years I was lucky enough to spend singing in choirs, especially the Chapel Choir at Tonbridge School. 

4. Eclogue - Gerald Finzi

Finzi is such an underrated British composer. This is a piece of music that takes you on a journey and, much like my other choices, it seems equally impactful no matter how many times you hear it. It conjures images of the English countryside and reminds me of happy times growing up in rural Kent. 

5. All The Way Around - Marvin Gaye

I discovered soul music as a teenager playing with my jazz trio, with whom I toured with Amy Winehouse. I spent a lot of time listening to the Isley Brothers, Shuggie Otis and Marvin Gaye with my bandmates and Amy, the latter being a demon tastemaker with an iPod playlist. I have to have a slice of Marvin here, and his album I Want You is my favourite of his - it’s an underrated soul gem. I could have chosen any track from the record but this song is an undeniable belter featuring one of my drumming heroes - James Gadson. If I was on a desert island, I could listen to this and imagine I was dancing around the kitchen to it with my wife and daughter as we have so many times before. 

6. Let's Dance - Bowie

This song hasn’t really got a deep meaning for me, it’s just an absolute hammer of a tune from a genius songwriter. Bowie’s haunting vocals, Nile Rodger’s sublime production and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar combine to create an ageless classic. Truly a record for any emotion at any time of day or night and therefore a safe choice on a desert island playlist.

7. Section IIIA, Music For Eighteen Musicians - Steve Reich

This is an extract from a masterpiece that changed the way I thought about rhythm and music in general. The way each instrument or voice’s polyrhythm loops, shimmers and fades creates a multitude of musical coincidences and feelings. I often listen to this commuting around London but it could be a soundtrack to any setting. I feel like I could listen to this every day and hear new things each time. 

8. Boards of Canada - Roygbiv 

I can’t believe I haven’t got any real hip-hop or electronic music on my list before this. I’m opting for a vague mix of the two with this totemic track from Scottish maniacs Boards of Canada. This music sounds like it was discovered in a stricken vintage spacecraft after millennia in orbit. BOC’s music first ignited my interest in vintage synthesisers and music production in general. I imagine sitting on a desert island at sunset listening to this in a state of reflective bliss. 

Luxury item 

A simple recording setup including a vintage synthesiser, drum kit, microphone and a pair of speakers (that are loud enough for passing ships to hear). 

Book

‘I May Be Wrong’ by Bjorn Nathikko Lindeblad