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 most cherished records.

For the next instalment, we’ve asked Andrei Sandu - author of Mates’ Crates and DJ with the Melt My Heart collective - to give us an insight into a special record from his collection.

What began as a series of articles and subsequent radio show on Liverpool’s Melodic Distraction, Andrei Sandu’s Mates’ Crates has developed into it’s very own self-published book. Harnessing Andrei’s interest and intrigue behind the stories that songs bring with them, be it personal, musical or historical, the book holds 100 unique tales of classic cuts from across the board. One such story he has picked out as his favourite find. You can order the book here, with all proceeds going to charity.

"There are lots of reasons why you might buy a record, but there's always a real reason. More than why you might add a song to a playlist. You wouldn't spend the time or money without a real reason. Maybe my love of writing about records is really a love of real reasons, and where they can lead.

I spend a lot of time hunting for music, but this time was different. José Pinhal had my attention from the opening note, and with that first woodblock began a love story beyond my wildest dreams. 

I never thought I would be so captivated by a sound I could recreate with a pen against my desk. I had to own the record immediately. Is that a real reason? It was real to me.

But I could not own the record, and nor could anyone else. Released exclusively on cassette in 1984, Pinhal's "Volume 1" had never seen a pressing plant. Almost every week, I checked if someone out there had plans to bring Pinhal to the turntable. But as weeks turned to months, turned to seasons, turned to years, hope faded.

Long after giving up, I thew in one last defeated search, and it appeared. Lusofonia Record Club, a tiny new label dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Portuguese music. Their first release, Pinhal's "Volume 1". Out of stock.

I got in touch immediately, desperate, but heard nothing for weeks. As I eventually discovered, a reply offering me the final copy had been buried in my Spam folder. If it wasn't gone then, surely it was gone now. 

Much to my surprise, it was still available and, eventually, in my hands. Label founders Léo and Tomas were amongst the friendliest people I've ever met. We’ve kept in touch ever since and even met for a drink in Porto to share stories. That's a real reason. 

Pinhal was discovered as a solo artist in 1978 and grew in popularity through his nightclub performances, local radio presence and cassette releases. Pinhal then flirted with oblivion until the early 2000s, when a copy of his tapes were found in the trash at a house in his coastal hometown in northern Portugal.

Soon shared online, the rebirth began as his music spread to parties all over the country. Eventually, Pinhal became one of the great myths of Portuguese popular music, now with his own tribute band and documentary.

For 99 other stories behind my favourite records - spanning cultural history, samples, covers, crossovers and more – I’m delighted that my book “Mates’ Crates” is now available at Mr. Bongo. Born out of an infectious curiosity about the who and the why, it’s a journey through funk, soul, disco and beyond from which I hope you’ll come away with something new. What’s more, all proceeds go to a range of good causes."

Big thanks to Andrei for telling us this story for the series. Be sure to grab a copy of his book and keep up-to-date with all of his goings on by giving him a follow on Instagram.