American singer Jason Downs - who broke the UK Top 20 with his debut single White Boy With A Feather - couldn't get a decent record deal in the States.

So the 27-year-old, who is currently on tour in Britain, was delighted when London-based Pepper Records recognised his potential and agreed to release his album.

The LP, which has the same title as the single, is out on July 16, and combines Downs' smooth, deep vocals with the rapping skills of Milk, who is also one of his producers.

Think of Beck, strip away the electronic wizardry and then add a hip-hop beat and you'll get close to the sound that Downs has created.

But the music is genre-defying, and the singer has created a fresh and exciting set of songs.

The backdrop is New York City, and Downs tells a semi-autobiographical tale of his rite-of-passage from hometown boy in Ellicott City, Maryland, to a young gunslinger on the make in the Big Apple.

Descended from Cherokee Indians, Downs's lyrics are packed with cowboy imagery, giving the tracks a definite country feel.

With New York the backdrop for the album - Downs has lived in the East Village - it is ironic that record company bosses did not recognise home-grown talent.

"They understood what I was trying to achieve," said Downs, "but didn't think they could market it.

"Now White Boy With A Feather has charted in the UK, I hope it will do the same Stateside.

"I am having such a good time over here and the reception I am getting is great."

Downs's first live performance in Britain was a real baptism of fire - he performed in front of a big crowd at the London Fleadh last weekend.

"I really enjoyed it and the way the audiences are responding really makes it feel like I am coming home."

Downs has been singing since he was a boy and has been working towards this breakthrough all his life.

He knows now is his time to make it big and intends to grab the opportunity.

"The next couple of years is going to be really busy," he says, "and we are going to take the band to Asia and Australia as well.

"You have to take opportunities when you get them and that is what I intend to do." Downs, discovered when he was working as a caretaker in the apartment block where Lauryn Hill's manager lived, appears very clean-cut but the lyrics on some tracks are quite saucy. Check out the song Ecstasy, a fictional tale which made his parents blush.

Revealing that he has "someone special" back home, he confesses that he keeps his attractive backing singers out of his eyeline when he is performing on stage.

"The girls are great and we have a lot of fun," he laughs. "And I get to spend time with them on the tour bus."

Jason Downs will be wearing his trademark cowboy hat at the Oxford Zodiac on Friday, June 22. Call the box office on 01865 420042 for ticket details. Doors open from 7pm.