The Off White Album was Martin's 2nd 'solo' album it was released  in 1995 . It was produced by French musician (and BBC sports journalist) Louis philippe. It differs quite a lot from it's predecessor 'The Greatest Living Englishman' in that it is more a straightforward collection of songs rather than a 'concept album'. It is obviously more highly produced as well, featuring string arrangements and the lush sounds one would associate with Louis philippe's own work and because it was recorded in a proper studio it enjoys a higher quality of recording than much of Martin'  s work to date.  Martin and Louis drafted in friends from their past, and some of their friend's friends, to help him make this album so you never get the feeling it was made by a bunch of sessioneers. 

Louis was a very sympathetic producer, doing the job because he was enthusiastic about Martin's work. He has written warmly about it since. The experience was still a difficult one for artist and producer because of record company problems, these and a rather disastrous tour to promote it seem to have made this, for Martin, one of the more forgotten albums in his oeuvre, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the record itself. Songs like Arcadian Boys, Lions Drunk On Sunlight, Goodnight Country Girl and When Damsons are Down rank among the very best he ever did. 

An new version is available from Cherry Red with a reading from Martin's biography This Little Ziggy and a CDrom video of Martin performing.