Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their favourite records.

For the next instalment, we’ve asked the brilliant digger, DJ, broadcaster and compiler, Alena Arpels to tell us the story behind how she came across one of her favourite records.

With a penchant for uncovering hard-to-find, infectious, rare groove, disco, boogie and jazz-funk records, Alena has cemented herself as key figure in London’s scene. Collecting and DJing for over 15 years, she regularly gigs across the UK and Europe, whilst holding down residencies on Global Soul Radio and The BoAt Pod. Her taste and knowledge caught the attention of Z Records’, Dave Lee, who invited her to compile the 9th instalment of the ‘Under The Influence’ compilations series - with Alena putting together a fantastic collection of obscurities many of which were never commercially released.

"I first heard Paradise, Black British gospel-funk pioneers of the early '80s, when I bought their third LP - Love is The Answer. I bought it 'blind', without listening to it first - and many records collectors know that it can be a risky move. The record, however, turned out to be pretty great - funky, fun, well-produced. The band was clearly inspired by Earth, Wind & Fire, the Fatback Band, Rance Allen group and others. I was keen to hear more!

I found out that Paradise consisted of three Edwards brothers, Phil (keyboards), Junior (bass) and Karlos (percussion), Bobby Clarke (drums), Devon Burke (percussion), Victor Cross (keyboard), Raymon Dennis (guitars) and Doug Williams (vocals, horns). The group saw themselves as full-on gospel evangelists and in youth club gigs and other events took every chance to communicate the life-transforming power of the Gospel. However, Britain's black church leadership were highly suspicious. Doug Williams once told journalist Andy Charalambous, "Because we weren't afraid to use contemporary sounds we were labelled as being 'worldly' especially when compared to the conservative and very traditional Pentecostal stuff. We did the outrageous thing of playing reggae on our albums and that was the 'devil's music'".

I wanted to find and listen to the elusive debut LP - self-titled Paradise on Ebony Records, with its beautiful Raggiana bird-of-paradise illustration on the cover. Many unsuccessful search alerts, disappointing record shops trips (try searching for something called "Paradise"!) and I finally got lucky - someone was selling the LP on eBay. It was listed in a job lot of records, just a grainy image of the cover in a box of records. But I immediately recognised it.

A few years later I picked up a cassette (I still don't have a cassette player and I certainly can't DJ with a tape) and the rest of Paradise's releases. The self-titled LP has since become one of my favorite records - with its variety of genres, imagination, energy, beautiful vocals and lyrics. I wish I could go back to South London in the 80s and see the band performing live!"

Big thanks to Alena for taking the time out to tell us her story. Be sure to give her a follow on Instagram and Mixcloud to keep up to date with all her gigs and mixes.