Jamie Woon

Born in London, England, Jamie Woon is the son of background vocalist Mae McKenna. His first release arrived in 2006 as a startling a cappella folk-soul reworking of “The Wayfaring Stranger.” The track initially appeared on a one-sided 12" single; the following February it returned with a new original called “Gravity” plus two remixes, one of them supplied by dubstep innovator Burial. BBC Radio DJ Gilles Peterson chose the a cappella version for the second Brownswood Bubblers compilation, issued later that year, an inclusion that markedly increased the artist’s visibility. After lending his voice to several producers—including Subeena’s “Solidify,” Ramadanman’s “The Woon,” Le Professeur Inlassable’s “Akileus,” and Débruit’s “I’m Goin wit You”—and appearing on one more compilation, Woon issued his second proper single, the moody “Night Air,” in 2010. It climbed to number 67 on the U.K. pop chart, while its successor, “Lady Luck,” reached number 76. In April 2011, shortly after finishing fourth in the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, he delivered his debut solo album, Mirrorwriting (Polydor). Four years afterward he reemerged on Portico’s Living Fields and Disclosure’s Caracal before unveiling his own Making Time (PMR). Crafted alongside Lexx, the record also drew contributions from Robin Hannibal and Willy Mason.