HE was the main man in Cambridge country combo The Broken Family Band and lent his name to The Singing Adams, who later dropped the definite article.

Nevertheless, Steven James Adams, as he now sallies forth under his own moniker, remains the definitive article when it comes to English songwriters on matters of the heart. Only The Wedding Present's David Gedge rivals Adams in the sour-apple romantic stakes.

York promoter Joe Coates is a long-time admirer of the mischievous misanthrope, bringing Singing Adams to City Screen's Basement bar in February 2011, and he will present Adams once more at The Basement on September 13 under Joe's Please Please You banner.

"Steven James Adams is a bit of a hero around these parts," he says. "He matches bitter-sweet melodies with magical, down-to-earth lyricism like no other. As principal songwriter in The Broken Family Band he broke hearts and blew minds with effortless songcraft. One album with The Singing Adams and two more with Singing Adams were no different, if a little less well known, and now a new solo album is on its way."

Still awaiting confirmation of its release date, House Music will be Steven’s first solo record. "Recorded primarily at his home in Walthamstow, London, with further sessions taking place at co-producer Neil Rogers’ Cambridge studio and elsewhere, it draws on a wealth of influences without ever sounding second-hand," says Joe.

"When you add musical contributions from Vancouver's Dan Mangan, rising stars John Smith and Emily Barker, Justin Young of The Vaccines and Scottish musical luminaries Inge Thomson and Martin Green, from three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners Lau, the resulting record is ambitious, beautifully conceived and graceful."

Adams says of House Music: “I've had such a good time doing this. It was an opportunity to make music exactly the way I wanted, with people I love dearly and no compromises. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out.”

The first song to emerge on his website, stevenjamesadams.com, is the single Tears Of Happiness.

"It was recorded – as with the rest of the album – at my house and my good friend Neil’s Half Ton Studios," he says.

"That's me singing and playing the rhythm guitar, with Stephen “Stuffy” Gilchrist on drums; Chad Young on bass (we were in Hofman together in the 1990s); and Justin Young – no relation – playing the melodic stuff on guitar and singing some backing vocals. The amazing Michael Wood plays a spot of keyboard under the guitar solo and Gill Sandell and Emily Barker sing on the choruses."

Adams will be supported at his Basement gig by York musician Boss Caine. Tickets cost £8 in advance on 0871 902 5726 or £10 on the door from 8pm.