SAM Brown is not expecting massive radio airplay for her new album and she undertook an extremely arduous tour of Russia to promote her last single.

For a woman who stood at the top of the music business when her debut album Stop was released in 1988, you might expect some bitterness but, rather surprisingly, there is not a trace of it.

Her new single, In the Light of All That's Gone Before, was released on September 11 and a 17 date promotional UK tour opened at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham on September 17.

The album Reboot follows on Monday (September 25), just two days before she arrives in Worcester for a gig at the Huntingdon Hall.

"I probably won't get any radio play at all but I think it's a really good album and that's all that matters at this stage," she said, "It's out of my control whether people play it or not."

Guests on the album include Jools Holland, with whom Sam has toured in his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Born in east London to a musical family - dad was Joe Brown - she mixed with the stars of the 60's and 70's, notching up her first pay day singing back-ups on the Small Faces last album, The Shade.

Her own debut album, Stop, appeared in 1989 and, after European success, it charted in the UK in the following year, reaching No 4. The album went on to sell 2.5 million worldwide but the follow-ups did not bring the same commercial success.

Married with two children, she now lives in Scotland, mixing family life with touring.

One reason she is so keen to come to Worcester is to get acquainted with Worcester-shire Sauce - her band love it and a visit to the factory is not out of the question.

Sam Brown is at the Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, on Wednesday, September 27, at 8pm. Tickets are £11 (£10 concs) from 01905 611427.

6 Sam Brown.