Martin Stephenson - Beyond The Leap, Beyond The Law (1997)

Singer/songwriter Martin Stephenson formed the first line-up of his band the Daintees in his early teens. Newcastle-based record label Kitchenware sent them into the studio, and after 1982’s intoxicating single "Roll on Summertime," a debut album was embarked upon. Boat to Bolivia, finally released in 1986, met with critical acclaim. The 1988 follow-up, Gladsome, Humour & Blue, contained the superb "Wholly Humble Heart." Once again, reviews were excellent, and Stephenson enhanced an already impressive reputation for hearty live shows. The excellent Salutation Road (1990) proved to be the songwriter’s most politicized work. After two further albums with the Daintees, Stephenson embarked on a solo career with a series of acclaimed releases for Demon Records. In the 2000s, he released a series of mail-order-only acoustic projects.