Snow Patrol’s career divides fairly neatly into two sections. There are the early albums that didn’t sell many copies when the band looked to Sebadoh and Belle & Sebastian for inspiration; and then there’s the stadium filling sounds of their recent records. Like so many others that suddenly find mainstream success after several records, success has come as a new skin with the band shedding many of their older fans in reaching the slick, shiny heights of popularity.

This mixtape could seem like an attempt to introduce Snow Patrol fans to a richer world of music or perhaps to remind older fans of the time when Snow Patrol weren’t always easily dismissed as Coldplay with less personality. Though it’s best just to ease back and enjoy the selection of tunes without thinking too much about the hands behind the crossfader.

The mix opens appropriately and literally with a late night tale; Captain Beefheart’s Observatory Crest. The story of a post gig comedown – “We’d just seen a concert and heard all the best/ so the only thing to do was to drive up and watch the city/ from Observatory Crest” – sets the scene for a mix of downbeat, slightly nostalgic tunes tailored for a little evening introspection.

There are forays into electronic beats with some classic Tribe Called Quest, a taste of DJ Food flavoured with Bug Power Dust’s familiar bassline and a cut from DFA hopefuls Holy Ghost!, but the soft focus of the collection is on folk and soul tinged sounds.

Under the odd moniker of King Biscuit Time Steve Mason continues the layered, rambling sounds that he developed as a member of The Beta Band. Iain Archer’s finger picked acoustic guitar on the gentle Canal Song is similar to Jose Gonzales’ work and like Snow Patrol or Gonzales’ could easily soundtrack the heartstring ending of a weekly drama.

Rediscovered soul poet Terry Callier’s Hidden Conversations album from earlier this year is a gem with his smoked vocals, dry observations and beautiful production from Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja and others, but Snow Patrol have dug deeper with an older cut – Ordinary Joe from his 1979 album Turn You to Love. The Week That Was team up with Field Music for It’s All Gone Quiet with a blend of vocals and a xylophone loop sounding like a lost collaboration between Wish You Where Here Pink Floyd and Steve Reich.

Last Train from legendary New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint brings the mix down south for the blue eyed soul of Bobby Gentry’s Fancy, the story of girls rise from ‘white trash’ to ‘an elegant New York townhouse flat’. That rise from small town to New York is echoed by the following selection – a blend That’s Us and Wild Combination from Iowa born, New York based, alien sounding Arthur Russell.

Jim Noir offers the light-hearted Eanie Meany before the School of Seven Bells get dreamy and ethereal with Half Asleep .There are stately strings and piano with TV On The Radio’s Family Tree and sleepy paranoia with Super Furry Animals’ Download.

With a gentle acoustic rendition Snow Patrol’s version of INXS’s New Sensation replaces the original’s triumphant declarations with a quiet hope. John Martin’s liquid blend of folk and soul rounds out the mix, with the choice of his heartbreaking Sweet Little Mystery acting as a touching tribute to the recently departed singer.

This is a gorgeously blended collection perfect for drifting off from reality after a big day (or perhaps drifting back after a big night) though you might want to forget to mention to your mates that you’re listening to Snow Patrol.