Kiki Dee is in Los Angeles, beside the pool of her rented house in a very nice part of town. She's sunning herself in the hazy heat, sun lotion in one hand, the telephone in the other.
When my call is connected she comes over bubbly and vivacious, but there's in undertone of calmness seeping through.
Kiki is in LA expressly to write songs for her forthcoming album: "It's amusing out here," she exclaims, "the sun's so good it's tempting to just sit around all day. The main reason for my visit though is to get down to some work. I'm writing for the new album."
It isn't that she finds LA more inspirational. The simple reason is that Kiki has no firm base at home ("I've lived in flats all the time"), and the LA pad in which she's (supposedly!) working has adequate services - like tape recorders and a piano.
"I've been looking around at houses in Britain. I'd like to live out of town, but within easy access of London."
The question I'm dying to ask Kiki is "whatever happened to the last album scheduled for release the end of last year"' Her reply is straight to the point: "I decided it wasn't quite up to it, it wasn't a strong enough album on the whole. So it was shelved."
The one she's writing now though promises to be ace: "The album will be made up of my own material," she explains, "the style of which isn't gonna be based on any one field. It's not just Rock 'n' Roll, or soul or pop, it'll be more individual. I've already written three songs, all different."
Will she be getting a band together for the album or use session men?
"I haven't decided yet. We might put together a band say a month before rehearsals, or then again we might decide to use top session people."
The Kiki Dee band is now defunct - has been in fact since last March. Kiki explains the reasons: "We didn't really have time to develop. A band doesn't just form overnight. I felt the situtation was very false, and because the band was 'The Kiki Dee Band' it seemed like I was kinda dominating it all, when in actual fact I didn't want to dominate."
When the time comes for Kiki to record the album, Elton John will produce it. Kiki speaks fondly of Elton: "He's a great bloke, and excellent to work with. I can turn round to him and say, 'no that won't work, what a load of rubbish', or vice versa."
The lady's latest single is in fact a duet with Elton called Don't Go Breaking My Heart and when I first heard it I didn't even know Elton was featured as the two voices are almost identical.
"A lot of people couldn't tell us apart, but once you hear it a few times you can tell who's who."
Don't Go Breaking My Heart was written by Orson-Blanche, who in reality are Messrs Elton John/Bernie Taupin. "I don't know why they called themselves that", she says puzzled. "Perhaps the incognito thing was just a laugh. They used it before on one of my singles, Lonnie And Josie."
Since Kiki has been under the wing of Elton and his record company, Rocket, things have been steadily progressing. She readily agrees: "He's helped me a lot. Working with a guy like Elton is such a boost. It's great being associated with him."
On a more personal level Kiki seems to have piece of mind and more confidence. She's also wildly enthusiastic about her career these days.
"I'm more involved in what I'm doing", she affirms. "Years ago I wasn't all that interested. Nowadays I have a lot more energy and en-thusiasm, plus I'm that little bit older and more experienced so I find it easier to cope and to be more realistic. I'm no longer constantly searching for the instant overnight rainbow. . ."