Time for another unsolicited made-up album in the tradition of Decca Records’ late 1960s/early 1970s The World of [fill in band/artist name here] series. Acts given a The World of … treatment include Mantovani, Cat Stevens, and The Zombies, to name just a few. Now get ready to add another name to the ledger with The World of Kenny Michaels.

I first heard of Michaels last summer when he posted his single “Must Be This New Love of Mine” on Bandcamp. As I wrote about it at the time, the song is a sunny soft rock delight with shades of the Turtles on the ‘ba ba ba ba’ background vocals. Since then he’s added nine more songs to his roster, enough to be collected into an album proper, for sure.  What is striking in this collection of tunes is the range, both in terms of songwriting and performance. Michaels can work up a beat group combo, Beatlesque orchestrations, blue-eyed soul, and heavier rock and roll numbers, with vocals that seamlessly adapt to the genre. Taking the tracks in order of release, “She’s a Charm” has a Bacharachian atmosphere with a vocal reminiscent of Freedy Johnson. “Don’t Look Down” launches with a “Hard Day’s Night” guitar glimmer before shifting to a bracing Jam-like pop punk intensity. It’s hard not to hear The Who-like keyboard work opening “Your House” but don’t neglect to spot those killer Who-like background vocals peppered throughout the tune. “Nowhere to Run” is 10cc-worthy in my view given its layered atmospheric effects, from the keyboard hook kicking things off to the rich harmony vocals. “Love of My Life” rocks along on the keyboard with a toe-tapping intensity and a blue-eyed soul vocal delivery. Then “Brand New Day” shifts the mood somewhat, with an orchestration giving off a “She’s Leaving Home” undercurrent of seriousness and class. “Be Here Soon” has a looser, late 1960s Cream vibe. I’d describe “All For You” as neo-Merseybeat, updated from the 1960s with an extra punch in the chorus. Lastly “Man Upstairs” has a “Lady Madonna” in your-face-piano style, while the vocal reminds me of Glenn Tilbrook in its elasticity.

Is The World of Kenny Michaels ready for the shops? Absolutely. Michaels has got more than enough quality material here for a long-player. But for now you can just collect all these individual songs and make them into an album all your own.

Visit Kenny Michaels on Bandcamp or catch up on some of his past releases at his spiffy website.