A WEST Midlands singer-songwriter who transported his talents down south to the smoke is hoping to go down the same lane as successful musician David Gray after releasing an album on his own label.

Daniel Rachel, a singer/acoustic guitarist from Solihull has recorded his debut album on Dust Records.

With collaborators such as Goldfrapp (who were nominated for a Technics Mercury Music award) and The Damned pianist Joe Atkinson, the album boasts a rich mixture of diverse influences including ska African vocals and Crazy Horse guitars.

Daniel, who previously pulled impressive crowds around the country when as part of West Midlands band Rachels Basement, will be showcasing his album at a series of gigs near to the Worcester area.

"Three years ago, after Rachels Basement disbanded, I dropped myself in the deep end, moved to London and started from scratch," says Daniel.

"I'd always wanted to go there so I started again with just me and my acoustic guitar."

"I really wondered if I had made the right decision."

When Daniel, who also plays bass guitar, drums and piano, first moved to London he looked at the venues of his favourite bands such as The Specials and Madness had played and decided to get gigs there.

His first port of call was The Hope and Anchor in Islington, which was famed for punk gigs in the 70s and soon Daniel was wowing people on the live circuit.

But his main aim was to release an album.

"I always had a dream of my own label when I was growing up after hearing of how UB40 set up their own record label.

"So I set up my own label and recorded the album.

"Hopefully people will sit up and take notice."

The album entitled A Simple Twist of Folk boasts of 13 tracks, which have different influences and meaning.

"A track called Dusty Road has African vocals on," says Daniel.

"I met an African linguistics person and it successfully captures the atmosphere of the country."

Other songs on the album include Mamma Chacha (Doo Doo Wah) a ska-based track, which uses an off-beat rhythm in the style of Jamaican ska reggae.

"My main ambitions are to get the album licensed by a major record label and to make a second album," says Daniel.

A Simple Twist of Folk, which boasts of a rich mixture of acoustic and electric guitars, is released on Dust records on Monday, October 29.

n The nearest venues he will be playing to Worcester will be Katie Fitzgerald's in Stourbridge tonight (19 Oct), Birmingham, Jug of Ale on October 24, and Birmingham Ceol Castle on Thursday, November 8.