After months of legal wrangling, personal bickering and plain stupidity surrounding its release, the much touted Michael Hutchence solo album, looks like finally being released in June.
Hutchence had been working on the CD for almost three years. The dark album clearly demonstrates the next step Hutchence would have taken in his quest for musical independence from INXS.
Although he probably would not have left INXS, the 20 year old band for which he sang, Hutchence was adamant that this album would not be thwarted as was his debut solo project, the brilliant 1989 Max Q project.
Mostly written and produced by Melbourne musician Ollie Olsen, Max Q was a showcase for Hutchence's penchant desire to stretch outside the commercial boundaries of INXS. However, it is said that his management at the time thwarted promotion of the album, in fear that it could contribute to the demise of INXS. At the time, INXS were near the top of the world rock pile, and ascending.
The untitled Hutchence solo album is a giant leap forward for the man who mysteriously died 18 months ago. Hutchence worked with the wide song writing, musical and production talents of former Gang Of Four member Andy Gill, alongside Tim Simenon from Bomb The Bass. Recording was done in London, Los Angeles, and France.
It is an album of epic proportions, orchestral heavy drum and bass, lyrically describing his feelings of helplessness at the time, mainly due to having been caught up in a domestic dispute between his lover, Paula Yates, and her husband Sir Bob Geldof.
Controversy has filled newspaper headlines and Australia law courts since the singer's death at the end of 1997. His estate is still in dispute, and included in his estate was the new solo album.
"We signed Michael to Virgin's new label, V2, just a few months ago," his manager Martha Troup told me on the weekend. "However, there was initial troubles with the executors of his estate and members of his family," Troup added.
However, it appears that they have relented and will now allow the release of the album.
Poor Michael - even in death
Article posted by Always INXS