Mike Carroll Singer, songwriter Raised on a musical diet of early ‘70’s soul, classic crooners and West Coast jazz-funk grooves, it’s no surprise that 40-something Mike Carroll’s milk-and-honey voice glides so silkily over the soaring melodies and funky rhythms of his self-penned songs of recent years. Born in 1959 in Islington, growing up in Bucks market-town Aylesbury, Mike assailed the local music scene when the charts buzzed with the likes of David Essex and Steve Harley, these popsters influencing his novice phase in popular beat-combo ‘As It Is’, who got to represent South East England at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool as part of The Boys Club All-England Talent Show in 1975. Moving on to more sophisticated writers like James Taylor and (of course) The Dan, Mike progressed into bigger and better local outfits such as Cruise, a jazz-funk ensemble who were to be recorded by industry luminary Muff Winwood and supported David Essex on national tour in 1983. Early signs of commercial success were nipped in the bud by the fickle nature of the business, not that this has deterred Mike who has, in the past decade, focused more on writing, as well as singing. His most recent recordings include ‘Escape from the Rooftops’, a collection of melodic smooth grooves finding favour with a more mature audience who collectively wonder why he’s not recognised as a major talent and duly rewarded with commercial success. Impeccably produced by his old musical cohort and now session bass-player and freelance producer Ed Poole, the album features his best work to date, not least the hauntingly brilliant ‘Ain’t the same thing’ and irresistibly funky ‘What’s going on’. With this still hot property, and still very much a believer in his solo singing career, Mike is also ploughing his current efforts into a song-writing partnership entitled ‘Choonsmiffs’, a serious endeavour to score commercial hits with fellow writer Steve Hillier (who also contributes to Mike’s solo albums), and produced, again, by Ed Poole. Music, in particular song-writing – in a style that won’t surrender melody to beat – is still Mike’s passion and is reflected in the work produced by Choonsmiffs.