When you have a classically-trained voice and background in opera, making the move to the crowded field of pop singer/songwriters might seem a bit odd. But for Brooklyn-born, L.A.-based Chris Mann, trading Italy for Nashville seemed the natural thing to do and the fulfillment of a dream to write and create his own songs.

Now signed to Sony's Victor label, Mann is wrapping up his as-yet-untitled debut album for an August release, a sleek mix of soulful pop and dramatic ballads delivered by an amazingly pure voice that's more Robin Thicke than Josh Groban. Produced by Grammy-winning hitmaster Walter Afanasieff along with Greg Wells, Mark Hammond and Bleu, Mann's music manages to skirt just this side of formulaic grandiosity thanks to his effortless singing and his own finely-crafted songs. It also doesn't hurt to have a good dose of self-deprecating humor, a trait on display in his take on Kanye West's "Heartless" (check out the fan-assisted video after the jump).

An introductory digital EP arrives at various online stores April 21.

Chris Mann - "N.Y. Time" (from his current EP and forthcoming debut album)

Myspace Artist Site