HE might look like an ageing ex-boyband member who should know better than to attempt an assault on the music charts but this Canadian singer/songwriter must be doing something right.

His first single from this self-titled album, Bad Day, has already been a massive hit across Europe.

It's an infectious pop song that spent seven weeks at the top of the French airplay charts and even reached number two in the UK Top Ten, only stopped from reaching the top spot by the phenomenal James Blunt, which is something of an achievement.

And surprisingly, the rest of the album doesn't pale into insignificance alongside Bad Day.

It starts strongly with memorable opening track Song 6, a possible second single, before launching into the piano-led Free Loop, then there's Bad Day followed by another stand-out track, Suspect. Other highlights include the ballad Jimmy Gets High.

Powter was a violinist as a child but found it hard to read music because of his dyslexia.

He couldn't progress as a classical musician so instead concentrated on the piano. He enrolled as a music student but once again reading music was a struggle so he dropped out and began working with Jeff Dawson, his long-term collaborator.

While Powter has some way to go before he's in the same league as the likes of James Blunt, classical music's loss is our gain.

MC