SHE had her first gig at an Almondbury pub.

And Adele Harley went down a storm, with her versions of classic reggae hits.

Now the Kirklees-based reggae singer is living the dream life.

Her debut album Come Into My Life is released today.

And next month she flies out to do some studio work in the Caribbean dream isle of Jamaica – the home of reggae.

Adele, 38, who lives in Batley, has been working with the highly-acclaimed London-based producers Mafia and Fluxy for three years and has seen her songs feature on their R’n’B to Reggae (Volumes 2 and 3) and Strictly Lovers’ Rock (Volume 3) compilations.

But the new album is her own work, apart from four cover versions.

The 17-track album has been recorded in London and Bradford with some songs being mixed in Jamaica where she’ll be heading in September to work with internationally-renowned sound system Stone Love.

And later this month, Adele’s reggae cover version of Bonnie Raitt’s song I Can’t Make You Love Me will be released on the American label VP Records.

It’s a far cry from that very first gig at the Rose and Crown in Northgate, Almondbury, but Adele recalls it all.

“I had been doing some work with producers across West Yorkshire and put some of my songs on Myspace.

“It was heard by some DJs who worked in Huddersfield and they got me along to the Rose and Crown.

“It was a great night and I’ve been back three times since.

“I can’t believe I’m going to Jamaica to work.

“It is the home of reggae and although this visit will be a short one, I hope to be back in the New Year for a longer stay with more studio time.”

Adele has appeared on stage across West Yorkshire as a backing singer and part of the tribute show, The Spirit of Pink Floyd.

But now she is determined to make it in her own right.

She says reggae has been a love of her’s since growing up as a schoolgirl in Leeds and her idol is Marcia Griffiths.