At only 23 years old, Ben Adams has already chalked up enough experience of the music business to match a lifetime for lesser talents. A child soprano, a teen idol, and now the new priority artist for Phonogenic Records (home to 2004’s breakthrough artist, Natasha Bedingfield), co-writing with Har Mar Superstar, and with over 250 songs which he not only wrote and performed but also self-produced. As the pop pick of 2005 in the UK press at the turn of the year, Ben Adams isn’t following any tried & tested formula – expect the unexpected.

Instead Ben has made an album’s worth of songs that draw on his varied musical tastes and experiences. Reassuringly eclectic and exceptional in content, Ben’s album in the making reflects the diverse music he loves listening to - from Prince to Damien Rice, Jill Scott to John Mayer, Norah Jones to Nat King Cole to Brazilian king of the bossa nova Antonio Carlos Jobim. It also reflects his prolific and ubiquitous musical history.

At the age of 3, Ben began singing, age 8 he could play classical piano, and he was only 10 years old when he won a coveted place in the St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey Choir. With the choir, he would perform for the Queen and the Pope, amongst others, tour Europe and recorded two classical album releases.

Ben made good use of the opportunities which came his way, and with not only a musical grounding but also an A grade academic record under his belt, he joined a four piece pop band at the age of 16. It was with A1 where Ben wrote his first hit songs, and to their credit, the band would write all but two of their string of Top 10 hits, including the Ben penned highlight, ‘Caught In The Middle’, which would mark a move to sophisticated guitar pop, and attract sought-after record producer Mike Hedges (Manic Street Preachers, Travis, McAlmont & Butler) to produce their third and final studio album.

Ben's debut single Sorry is an urgent raw slice of hip-hop infused pop, out on May 30th 2005, and the first taster the public will get of Ben’s much anticipated solo material.

With the finishing touches being made to the album now, Ben is ready to begin stage three in his career. A classical child star with an angelic voice, the idolised frontman of a pop band in his teens, and now flying solo in his twenties; Ben Adams, the singer, songwriter and producer.

New Music Friday Review