IT'S a massive week for singer-songwriter Debbie Clarke with the release of her first album.

The release of Manhattenhenge is a peak in a musical career that has taken Debbie from Welsh Newton to working with industry legend Tony Visconti.

An incredible journey started with a cheeky e-mail to Tony Visconti who has worked with some of the biggest in music including David Bowie and Marc Bolan.

She has been signed up by Warner International, a leading record label.

Debbie said: "I sent some tracks but didn't really expect him to even listen to them.

"Within about 15 minutes he'd emailed back saying: 'You have one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard – what are your plans?"

She started working on Mattenhenge in 2010 and she says her rural upbringing inspired much of her music and the resulting album is a blend of, among other things, pop, folk, blues and gospel.

A Manhattenhenge happens when the sun nestles perfectly between the New York skyscrapers in what appears to be an echo of Stonehenge.

Debbie said: "A Manhattenhenge is a phenomenon which lights up the streets and that's what we're aiming to be."

The album has already been released on Amazon in Germany and on the weekend Debbie left home in Welsh Newton to begin a round of TV and radio interviews to promote it.

She said: "My German is pretty basic but as a classically-trained singer my pronounciation is good."

Although her early training pointed to a career in opera, Debbie said she was attracted by the diversity of pop.

"I enjoy listening to opera and classical music but I was drawn to pop."

You can hear tracks from the album at Debbie's http://www.debbie-clarke.com/en">www.debbie-clarke.com/en