SOUL MAN

Universal has issued a 20-track Motown Made To Measure collection, compiled by The Office’s Martin Freeman. Tim Jones asked the TV/film star about the project.

How long did it take to compile?

Not that long, ’cos if I thought about it too long it’d take me five years. So I just chose music that I owned and knew well – songs that had to be on there, plus ones I’m into at the moment. It came together within a couple of months, and I’ve got all of them on vinyl, which I always get if I can. I’ve always bought music from a very young age and I get a lot from Soho and Camden now, where I work a lot. I’ve only rarely been to fairs as I’m busy working, so it’s mostly shops.

Was there anything you wanted to use but couldn’t?

I was told that, contractually, you can only have one Stevie Wonder track per compilation. He sorted things out when he was 21 and so he had it covered. There would’ve been more Stevie, ’cos he’s a favourite of mine, though I got a Syreeta track featuring Stevie in under the bar.

Did you get access to the Motown tape library?

No, it was just my own collection – stuff that I listen to in the kitchen or in the car. But the original records would be fucking great to get hold of and I’ve always thought it’d be nice to go somewhere where they told you, ‘Take home any record you like.’ That’d be …

by Tim Jones
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