JAMES Atkin topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic in the 90s with his band EMF and their smash hit Unbelievable.

Now living near Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales, he is about to release his debut album A Country Mile on Pledge Music.

“I’ve released plenty of electronic records over the years under different names,” James explained, “but this is the first time I’ve put my name on a solo piece of work.”

On why he felt the time was right to go solo, he said, “It just seemed like a natural thing to do because I’d written a bunch of songs that were very personal to me.

“There was no big idea behind this set of tracks – I’d gained a bit more confidence in songwriting and they flowed naturally.

“I’d rediscovered big hooks and emotive lyrics rather than just making dance records, so it’s slightly different to what I have done in the past.”

‘A Country Mile’ was recorded at James’ home studio, with the demos being sent to production/mixing wizard Vladimir Kamorov in New York.

“My writing process is really simple – I start off with a lyrical idea, go out driving in the Dales and hopefully something will come to me for the music,” James said.

“I think the landscape is a big inspiration because you have beautiful countryside every time you step outside the door – plus we have no neighbours so we can turn the volume up a little bit.”

With the album finished, James is rehearsing with a band – featuring Adrian Hobbs from Yorkshire outfit Drum Machine and wife Rachael on keyboards - to take it around the UK.

It will mark the first time James has performed live since EMF’s reunion shows in 2012, celebrating 21 years since the release of their debut album Schubert Dip.

On how the music business has changed in those two decades, James said, “It’s so much more accessible – 20 years ago you had to go into a big studio but now you can just sit there with a laptop, which I think is great.

“The flipside, of course, is that 20 years ago you could actually sell records and I feel really sorry for young musicians now – lots of people don’t buy music so you’ve got to find other ways of making money as an artist.”