The Zutons Dropped By Their Record Label

The `Valerie` hitmakers have been dropped by Deltasonic after bosses at the label, were left unimpressed by sales of their last album.

The Zutons have been dropped by their record label.

The 'Valerie' hitmakers have been dropped by Deltasonic after bosses at the label, which is part of Sony, were left unimpressed by sales of their last album 'You Can Do Anything'. The LP went to number six in the UK album chart when it was released last June.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Expectations were unrealistically high when The Zutons came back from Los Angeles with their third album.

"'Valerie' was being pumped out of every stereo around the world and they were being totally overshadowed by a song from their previous release.

"While it was great that it brought a bit of money in, the label wanted another song in the same style.

"The fact was that the group wanted to make a fresh start and were proud of what they'd recorded."

'Valerie' was the second single from the group's second album, 'Tired Of Hanging Around', and reached number nine in the UK singles chart. Although it is the band's biggest hit, it achieved worldwide success when Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson released a version.

The group - Dave McCabe, Abi Harding, Russell Pritchard, Sean Payne and Paul Molloy - blame their label for the lukewarm response to their most recent album.

Dave has previously said: "We always wanted to release 'What's Your Problem' as the first single, not 'Always Right Behind You'.

"I'm not happy with the way the third album has gone.  I wanted it to go to number one and sell millions. I'm gutted. I can't understand it - maybe it's just our time to fall out of favour."