Erasure's Andy
Bell to release solo album

Gay Erasure front man Andy Bell has signed a worldwide solo recording deal with Sanctuary Records, according to his Web site. His solo debut, Electric Blue, will be released October 3 internationally. The 14-track set was cowritten and produced by the artist and U.K. duo Manhattan Clique (a.k.a. Philip Larsen and Chris Smith). Lead single "Crazy" arrives September 26; it includes remixes by Erasure partner Vince Clarke, Cicade, Manhattan Clique, and King Roc. Also included on the single are nonalbum tracks as well as the video for "Crazy."

Larsen previously told Billboard the album encompasses styles that people may not have heard Bell experiment with before along with a "duet or two." The project boasts a duet with out Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears ("I Thought It Was You") and two with Claudia Brucken of Propaganda ("Love Oneself" and "Delicious"). According to Bell, he is planning live solo dates for late 2005 and early 2006. Also being discussed is a series of club DJ gigs (with Bell and Manhattan Clique) to coincide with the album's release. (Reuters)