'We believe there's a large audience for this project, although the problem is the lack of existing channels of support to let people know that there are many kinds of music available in Hong Kong.

'We want more people to listen to these works and discover that there's a lot of good music here. We hope to present the happiness and power of indie [music].'

Yeung says the label didn't select bands and artists for the project, but spread the word and waited to see who responded. There are 39 acts represented on the collection. 'We never expected such a great reaction from bands wanting to get involved,' she says.

Riz Farooqi, lead singer of hardcore merchants King Lychee, says the CD contains 'the best of local hip-hop, rock, pop, garage rock, punk rock, indie-pop and hardcore - and many others, all singing in either English or Cantonese.

'The best thing about this is that it's going to prove to all the naysayers of Hong Kong's indie scene just how much talent and originality there is here,' he says.

Often associated with a style of music, the term 'indie' is used here to describe the many different genres featured throughout the album - all that is independent from the mainstream.

Liang Hailiang, of Guangzhou rockers The Swamp, says he's proud of the term. 'The 'indie scene' just describes an attitude of playing or creating music,' he says. 'It's not just a musical style.

'In China there's a saying that 'a single spark can start a prairie fire'. As long as the kindling material keeps burning, we'll remain hopeful.'

Singer-songwriter Oliver Ching Ho says the term 'indie' is 'just a word for people to distinguish 'artistic' music from pop music. The word doesn't mean anything negative.'

Alva Wong Yuen-sze of Harbour Records - which represents four bands on the album - says she hopes the project will lead to further development of the scene. 'It encourages people to play and make music by promoting it as a fun thing to do,' she says. It also reminds people out there already doing it that, actually, so many people share the same goals, all trying to express their thoughts and who they are through music.'

The album took more than three months to put together, although, as a concept, it's been bandied about by various people involved in Hong Kong's indie movement for several years.

Compiling a comprehensive collection of current Hong Kong music is an important achievement.

'The reason that this is actually materialising and not remaining someone's idea is quite simply because 89268 is in charge of it,' says Farooqi. 'They're a serious independent label and are committed to the local indie scene, constantly putting out records of local bands and coming up with new ideas to help others.'

Apart from the three-CD box, 89268 will be releasing postcards, a poster and a magazine, The Tripper - all concentrating on the Come Out and Play theme.

An exhibition focusing on the release will be held throughout the month at the Fabrica Features gallery in Tsim Sha Tsui's Benetton Megastore. Sponsors Benetton will also host in-store performances by several contributors, and will release a line of limited-edition T-shirts.

The project's official release party will be on October 18, and will feature several of the bands involved.

'This album will become a legend of Hong Kong indie music,' says Jeremy Cheng Dik-fai, of one-man band Starfruit. 'And some of the names on this album will probably become important forces in the Hong Kong music scene.' Solo artist Wong Cham-hei is more circumspect. 'I'm not sure what it can achieve,' he says. 'But I don't think much will change. Hong Kong music still needs some more time to develop and evolve.'

Ho says the current indie scene is commercial and market-oriented. 'Most local people lack musical and artistic education,' he says. 'People don't know how to appreciate music. Come Out and Play documents the 'true' music scene. It will be a gift for the [indie music] followers of the future.

'It may not change the scene in Hong Kong, but at least it records the history of this glorious 'indie revolution'.'

Whether Come Out And Play can be the catalyst for a chain reaction remains to be seen, but the groundwork has been laid for the indie gospel to be spread further in Hong Kong.

Come Out and Play is on sale now. Release party, Oct 18, 10pm, M1 Bar & Lounge, G/F B/M Polly Commercial Building, 21-23A Prat Ave, TST, $50 (includes two beers). Inquiries: 2369 1100