I'm always drawn to the cause of the small man versus the world/the syastem/etc. I've never heard of singer/songwriter Andy Leek, and I've not yet heard his music but this press release about a single from the forthcoming release of his 21-years-mothballed debut album makes me keen to hear it and to wish him good fortune with it. (That said, naming your own label 'Undiscovered Classics' seems a tad like hubris, unless it involves tongues in cheeks... which it probably does!)

Press blurb below - which I hope is okay Fraser. Trust me, I'm not in any way involved with the guy - iot just seems like a nice story and music that fellow Word bloggers might have an interest in:

It was twenty years ago that Andy Leek and George Martin recorded the album ‘Say Something’ at Air Studios in Oxford Street, London; accompanied by some of the finest musicians in the world. At that time the incoming fashion was for Britpop. As a result the album ‘Say Something’ from which the single ‘What’s the Problem’ is taken was largely ignored and consigned to lay dormant in a publishers loft for over two decades.

Now finally re-released on Andy’s own Undiscovered Classics label the song ‘What’s the Problem’ recorded live with George Martin conducting a sixteen piece string section is to be released as a single. The result is a magical performance full of humanity of a heart rending modern love song about middle class values, impotence, and true love’s war on greed.

The single also carries a bonus version of ‘What’s the Problem’ introduced by Sir George Martin against a backdrop of his own string arrangement, reminiscent of Eleanor Rigby. This stand out track rightly deserves its place in pop history as an undiscovered classic.

Andy Leek Tells the Story Behind ‘What’s the Problem’

“Having left Dexy’s Midnight Runners I spent years in London knocking on various record company doors. I finally secured deals with Hit & Run Music and Atlantic Records in New York. My manager asked me who I would like to produce my first album. Being an avid Beatles fan I said, ‘George Martin’ - so we sent George a tape of my songs.

To my amazement and utter delight George called back saying he was ‘knocked out by the material and would love to produce the album’. I was on cloud ten! A few months later after various meetings -- and twenty one years ago at the time of writing this press release -- we started recording “Say Something” with the great man behind the recording desk at Air Studios in London. It is I believe the only debut album of original material that George Martin produced since the Beatles” -- Andy Leek

Taken from Andy’s Time Line Bio

2008: One day Carol Impney of Hit & Run phoned me asking if I would like to own the master tapes to my original album ‘Say Something’ which had sat in their loft for twenty years or so. I was surprised and delighted to receive the master tapes and the many photos of my time in the studio with George Martin. The tapes had degenerated somewhat so they had to be cleaned by hand and baked for several days in order to transfer them to CD. I then added one new song ‘All Around The World’.

Label: Undiscovered Classics - Distributor: Proper - Catalogue Number: WP1612AL - Release Date: October 4/2010