Now, without wishing to damage my already fragile credibility, I have to report the joy I felt this weekend when I stumbled across a copy of A1's top pop classic track 'Caught In The Middle' in the 50p CD single box at the Greenwich Music Exchange. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed by the purchase - me or the guy that had to sell it me (the fact he refused to take any money for it might suggest he was more embarrassed). But I don't care - it's a fantastic bit of pop from the boy band who picked up instruments months before Busted arrived on the scene - and until Saturday I didn't own a copy.
Anyway, this is all relevant because A1 member Ben Adams is embarking on a belated attempt at a solo career, with his debut solo single 'Sorry' in shops next Monday, and available to download right now on iTunes.
To be honest, the first single isn't anywhere close to 'Caught In The Middle' in terms of fine popdom, but that's no reason not to wish him well. And presumably his record label wouldn't mind me pointing out that Music Week said: "Following the success it had with Natasha Bedingfield last year, Sony BMG offshoot Phonogenic has good reason to be optimistic. The first fruit of the former A1 star's solo career is a remarkably convincing effort that showcases a more sophisticated direction which is still utterly pop and is the closest any UK artist has yet got to capturing the feel of Justin Timberlake."
Press info from SonyBMG IH.