Arts: Babycream's burning desire to lead the way.

THE dang ers of alcohol, men and shiny things has always been well documented. The draw of the gadget to someone like myself can pr ove too much.

That's why when I tried out the new gizmo in the latest trendy bar I was drawn to it like a magpie to bottle tops.

Babycreamhas unveiled CreamSelector,a service that allows music lovers to compile their own CD compilations in the new Albert Dock Bar in Liverpool.

The club will be the first bar to offer ``takeaway tunes'', from music labels such as EMI, Uni versal,Warner and BMG. At a cost of pounds 1.25 a track, customers will be able to pick the songs of their choice and have them copied on to CD. Using a handy screen in the wall it is simply a matter of pressing the buttons to pick the right tracks. It's reminiscent of a jukebox. First it is a matter of picking the genre, rock, pop, R'n'B and, of course, dance , this is Cream after all. There is also a selection of tracks that are favourites of the DJs meaning they can work in peace without having to be pestered by fans trying to find out where you can get a tune . There is 30 seconds of song before you buy and then the album can be put in any track listing you want.

Choice is not an issue here,at present there are 2,000 songs on the system but if Creamgets its way you would be there a lot long er looking at tracks Paul Nethersole, from VMS, the company that designed the software, said: ``The server that this runs off has ahardwareof 1.2 terrabytes. That is enough for us to be able to save10,000 albums. ``What we imagine for the future is the top 40 singles and albums and a vast back catalogue all of it updated by sat el -lite link-up . ``WH Smith is very interested in this. Have you ever been into a shop on aMon-day morning and half the shelves are empty because the stock is not in yet? ``This would not happen again. The songs could all be sent directly to the machines. It's the future.''

Then it is a matter of picking your album cover, it's the Cream symbol or nothing here though.

Finally you put the name of your albumin, I went for ``Daily Post'' because I lack any originality . SteveSmithgeneral manager of Babycream said: ``People want more from bars no w. ``This is very simple. It is a matter of pressing the buttons left and right and picking the songs, then pr essing buy.

``You then go up to the till where the album is printed and takes around three or four min utes to be burned.'' It is all based around a huge computer system safely housed away and when the CD pops out of the machine it is deeply satisfying. With printed covers and your name on the label and disc itself it looks far more professional than one you would do yourself in the comfort of your home armed with your favourite tracks and aPC, At pounds 1.25, a-track your average length album of 12 songs will cost you in the region of pounds 15 -the cost of a normal LP in the shops. You can go up to 18 songs or as many as the CD can hold. It is the first time that such an idea, popular in the US, is being tried int heUK.The brainchild of Cream founder James Barton and the Lyceum Group's Rob Gutmann, Babycream describes itself as a ``ne w bar and restaurant concept'' and takes over the site of the former Beige Bar. ITS creators say Babycream promises unique contemporary design, with the emphasis on quality eating, premium drinks and the cutting edge in music and tech nolo gy. With this idea they are not trying to turn the bar into a modern HMV, but with a rash of trendy bars con tin ually popping u pin the city being able to enjoy your pint with something a bit different to occupy your mind. Have abit too much to drink however and you could end up walking out with a whole new CD library and a massive dent in your wallet.

BROWN MIX

Chris Brown's Daily Post CD1Idlewild: American English 2 TheWho: My Generation 3 The La's:There She Goes 4 Dubstar: I Will Be Your Girl-friend 5 Morrissey: You'reThe OneFor Me Fatty 6 Orbital: Belfast 7 Deee-Lite:Groove Is In TheHeart 8 The Orb: Little Fluffy Clouds 9 The Avalanches: FrontierPsychiatrist 10 Tricky:Overcome

CAPTION(S):

CREAMSELECTOR: Babycream general manager Steve Smith talks Chris; Brown through creating his own CD