Mixtape 60: It began in Africa
To celebrate his beloved continent, Charles Leonard has picked 25 of his favourite African songs – stone-cold classics, fresh discoveries and hidden gems.
Radio New Frame Mixtape
Mixtape 59: This mixtape kills fascists
Inspired by what labour troubadour Woody Guthrie wrote on his guitar, Charles Leonard’s anti-fascist mixtape celebrates May Day with songs about working people.
Mixtape 58: Give peace a chance
In a time of brutal conflict in places such as Ukraine, Yemen, Palestine and Somalia, all the tracks on Charles Leonard’s latest mixtape are unashamedly for peace and against war.
Mixtape 57: Sweet sole music
His punning title for a mixtape of songs about shoes may well make you cringe, but Charles Leonard’s super selection of songs will certainly put a spring in your step.
Mixtape 56: Countdown
While 2021 was overshadowed by pandemic-shaped clouds, it still had a silver lining. For Charles Leonard it came in the form of new music releases – he plays his favourites on this mixtape.
Mixtape 55: Lust for life
This last mixtape of 2021 is a countdown to the new year. Looking on the bright side of life, Charles Leonard has selected cautiously optimistic songs to make you feel good.
Mixtape 54: Cool Yule
Festive playlists don’t have to mean Boney M and Mariah Carey tying you up in tinsel. On this Christmas mixtape, Charles Leonard leaves 25 all-cool, no-kitsch tunes under your tree.
Mixtape 53: People have the power
Over the years, socially conscious musicians have produced songs about the environment. In the face of the climate crisis, Charles Leonard has picked the best ones for this mixtape.
Mixtape 52: Hey there, little insect
It’s summer in the southern hemisphere, and in the mind of Charles Leonard it means one thing: mosquitoes. This has prompted him to make a mixtape buzzing with songs about insects.
Mixtape 51: Keep on moving
For this second part of the mixtape’s golden anniversary, Charles Leonard has dug into one of popular music’s vintage years exactly five decades ago. He’s unearthed some gems for you.
Mixtape 50: Halfway to hundred
Our mixtape has reached a musical milestone celebrating its 50th edition. True to form, Charles Leonard has again gone totally catholic, wildly global and genre-fluid with his playlist. Oh, and all the songs are from 1971.
Mixtape 49: Golden clouds
Charles Leonard made this mixtape under his lemon tree, celebrating Lee “Scratch” Perry, Charlie Watts, Mahotella Queen Nobesuthu Mbadu and several other musicians who have recently died.
Mixtape 48: These Boots
With this mixtape, the second of two featuring songs about walking, Charles Leonard is taking you on musical walkabouts to Memphis, Dube, the wild side and many other exotic places.
Mixtape 47: Walking in Rhythm
Press “play” and let Charles Leonard take you on a relaxing musical walk with songs about walking, wandering, meandering, sauntering, rambling and ambling.
Mixtape 46: Pull Up to the Bumper
Need a musical lift? Let Charles Leonard be your chauffeur on this second of a two-part mixtape with songs about cars.
Mixtape 45: Baby, won’t you drive my car?
Take a sharp left. In this first of a two-part series featuring great songs about cars, Charles Leonard transports you around the world and across genres.
Mixtape 44: The photo album
Charles Leonard is shaking it like a Polaroid picture on this mixtape, with a selection of songs about photographs, photographers and cameras.
Mixtape 43: The chicken crossing
Charles Leonard has compiled a mixtape of chicken songs to stop traffic. Listen, and it will all make sense.
2 Jun 2021
Mixtape 42: Freshly Picked
For this mixtape Charles Leonard has picked a bunch of fresh tunes from a rich harvest of new music that was recently released.
Mixtape 41: I talk to the trees
Charles Leonard goes back to his roots in this tree-themed mixtape recorded under the 100-year-old lemon tree in his garden. He’s collected an orchard of related songs.
Mixtape 40: I fought the law
All rise in court for part two of Charles Leonard’s selection of songs about crime, crooks, theft and pilferage.