Gorgeous George testifies that he hasn't outplayed his abilities and in September I'm Not Following You will witness Edwyn's halterbacked genius. As a youth he joined with school friends to form the band Orange Juice, and in keeping with Collins' independent spirit, they formed their own home, Postcard Records of Scotland. Said Collins, "That's the premise Orange Juice started out on. It wasn't for glory or riches or honor. It was freedom. Even though it was only pop music." After a six year run and four album releases, Orange Juice split in 1985.

Two years later and still counting, the juices are still flowing. '89 marked the release of Collins' first solo album, Hope and Despair, followed by Hellbent on Compromise in '91. Both received yahoos from the critics and public. Now Collins had the chance to construct his own studio (completed at the end of last year) and practice the freedom he loves. Gorgeous George he self-produced and completed in his London studio; as for the rest, well... turn on your radio, click to MTV and listen for yourself.

Gorgeous George is Collins' first album to be released in the states. And its success brought him to the US for his first visit. In L.A.he got into a bar room brawl (or what Edwyn called "culture clash") involving Edwyn, an overimaginative boyfriend, and the girl Collins never met. Edwyn didn't leave the U.S. untouched. Or unheard. Six weeks later Edwyn returned to tour the wil west country and almost every show sold out.

Then back to Europe, where Collins returned to the studio to work on the new album. With help of course from ex-Sex Pistol (now Edwyn's drummer) Paul Cook, bassist Clare Kenny from Sinead's group, and longtime co-conspirator Stephen Skinner on guitar.

Edwyn released his new single The Magic Piper [Of Love] in July of 1997 and the new album, I'm Not Following You in September.

Taken from Setanta home page