Couldn't find a big & clearer pic to use of local artiste Jamie Michael's debut album People Watching so I decided to improvise with this which's the same one as it's being used on the album cover .
Born in UK but now based in S'pore , Jamie Michael's music's simply amazing & depending on how you classify his music , you can say that his music is a lush fusion mix of pop/acoustic/folk as being stated in his official MySpace .
& only most recently this talented singer/songwriter has released his debut album People Watching containing 12 fanastic tracks . His voice ? I can probably say he sounds like the Maroon 5's Adam Levine but even better . Yeah his voice's that distinct & good !
Jamie presents12 collections of ditties & you can't deny the fact that they're very catchy . The melodies blend really well with his smooth voice & in some tracks you might find yourself humming along which I did .
I received a copy of his album last Fri in the mail & Jamie was kind enough to send me a copy & boy am I glad he has decided to release a full length album despite the fact that no record label backs him up with a distribution deal or what-so-ever . All I can say that it's their loss , not Jamie for sure .
& the superman of the local music scene Leonard Soosay make this all possible since he's the one who helped to produce Jamie's debut . What can I say , Leonard rules !
Anyway back to the music . Before I laid my hands on this record , I already heard 4 tracks outta 12 namely Love Hotel , Bonnie & Clyde , Whenever & People Watching which I find each of them outstanding in their own right .
Catchy tracks are aplenty such as Same Folk , Paddington Days , Stupid Love Song & Right Or Wrong . I don't know about you but I like the lyrics of Stupid Love Song . It's not cheesy but yet there's some truth & meaning to it . Listen to it & you know where I'm coming from .
Jamie slows down on Generations which allows him to show his showmanship , vocals & lyrics wise . I like the lyrics it's so meaningful & incidentally 1 of the fewer slow numbers on his debut . Calendar Girl's pretty cheeky while the last track basically called Untitled closes the album in a very nice manner . But I suppose if Jamie were to change the title track of track no12 , he might probably change it to something not acceptable that cannot be printed out at the back of the CD which can be found in the lyrics to Untitled !
& oh in a bit case of f.y.i , the drummer of Electrico , William Lim Jr plays the keyboards on about 5 tracks on Jamie's debut . Yes I know , I was surprised when I saw William's name in the album sleeve . I know before that Will knows how to play drums , bass , guitar but keyboards ?! Wow that's impressive , who would have thought eh ?
Well what can I say ? It's a joy to listen to Jamie's music & I had listened to the whole album when I worked out in the gym & I just did that yesterday . It's chilled out music but it wouldn't bore you to the extent that you would throw it 1 side & use his CD as a coaster but there's just something about his voice & melodies that draws onto me immediately ! & I have been listening to People Watching non stop since last Fri so it hasn't left my CD stereo just as yet !
Log onto http://www.myspace.com/jamiemichaeluk to sample the tunes & if you like what you hear , drop Jamie a line since I doubt People Watching will be available in record stores . I could be wrong but just give Jamie's music a shot & you will be surprised that such fanastic & great material does exists in a tiny little island called Singapore .
Simply put , go & grab a copy of Jamie Michael to support him & basically the local music scene . You'll be proud that you do that !
