A WORCESTER singer-songwriter is hoping to have Christmas all wrapped up as he releases his 10th album at a concert in the city.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jules Benjamin, who has been playing piano since the age of five and guitar since he was 11, will launch The English Dream at the the Marr's Bar at 8pm on Sunday.

His album launches at the Pierpoint Street venue have been a long-running tradition and audiences can expect to hear a selection of songs from the new one as well as tracks from the other nine.

Jules will be joined on stage by his band - drummer Carl Lewis, bassist Adam Hood and guitarist Kristian Rozells. A brass section will also join them to perform some of the numbers, as will several guests.

Jules said: "The venue is one of my favourites and is the hub of music around here really. Sunday evening sessions there are really good as they tend to be acoustic and the audience is generally appreciative and listens."

Jules, who teaches music technology and performance studies at Worcester Sixth Form College, began work on the 11-track English Dream in the studio above the Marr's Bar in June, completing the final mixes this week.

One of the album's highlights for him - opening track Everybody Prays - is a departure from his usual subject matter, being a tune with a political edge.

He said: "There's a lot of mention at the moment about this clash between east and west, but essentially when it comes down to it everyone wants to get on together apart from a small minority and that's what it's about.'' Jules, who has a Best Of' album in the pipeline, will be in Norway soon, playing at a ski resort owned by Bewdley resident Brent Wood - the bass player from the first band he was in aged 11, Jynx.

Sunday's tickets are priced £5. The English Dream will be available on the night priced £7.50 or via: www.julesbenjamin.co.uk