Just like millions of adoring fans, Robbie Williams's mum Jan was still eagerly waiting to hear her son's latest album this weekend.

Jan receives copies of Robbie's albums before their official release, but by the weekend she was still waiting to hear the final version of Rudebox, which was released today.

However, Robbie has kept his mum well informed of the creative processes poured into the album, which he describes as a departure from his normal work.

Jan has heard demo versions of the songs on her son's ninth album - but wants to hear the polished version before she passes comment on Rudebox itself.

She said: "I did see some rough stuff from the beginning of things and there were a lot of references to Stoke-on-Trent in them.

"He's very excited about it and I know he has really enjoyed doing it."

Robbie, aged 32, worked with fellow Stoke-on-Trent musicians Kelvin Andrews and Danny Spencer on the album, who perform together as dance act Soul Mekanik.

He enjoyed working with his ST5 collaborators so much that he has shown off his Potteries roots in Rudebox more than on any of his previous albums.

Writing on his website about the title track of his album and first single, Rudebox, Robbie says: "Danny and Kelvin sent me the basic drum beat and it just became a floor-shaker, with lyrics straight out of Stoke-on-Trent.

"When we get in the studio we gel and we know where we are going; we get excited when it's right."

Jan added: "With the three of them being Stokies it was a very easy ride."

Signal 1's Andy Goulding also has high expectations of the new album. He said: "It's the album that he really wanted to make - he has done it for himself instead of the record company or his fans."

Sales are expected to be high for the new release. Mark Dunning, supervisor at HMV in the Potteries Shopping Centre, Hanley, said the store anticipated high numbers buying it.

He said: "Robbie's album is one of the biggest to go on sale at this time of the year and we expect there will be steady sales throughout Monday."
by Richard Ault and Laura Naylor

Source: The Sentinel