MOD singer/song-writer Triggah, from Gants Hill, was bought a how to get signed manual and ended up working with one of the leading music producers in the world, with links to a who s who of the world s leading music stars, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Richard

MOD singer/song-writer Triggah, from Gants Hill, was bought a "how to get signed" manual and ended up working with one of the leading music producers in the world, with links to a who's who of the world's leading music stars, writes MATT TROLLOPE.

Richard Niles has worked with Ray Charles, James Brown, Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey and Pet Shop Boys to name but a very few, but Triggah - 38-year-old Dave Solomons - came across his details in The Unsigned Guide, bought by his girlfriend.

He quickly sent Niles some material, tracks like his infectious anthem Believe, which is a definite nod to fellow Essex cheeky chappie Ian Dury.

Triggah explains: "Richard really liked what I sent him, and hooked me up with some musicians he knew, putting together a band that would back me as I recorded some new material, plus some of the old stuff."

Amazingly, that band included sessionists who have worked with David Bowie, Rod Stewart, The Bee Gees, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Manic Street Preachers, Celine Dion, Jamiroquai and even Wham!

A former pupil of Ilford County High School, Triggah grew up in Cowley Road, Gants Hill, but moved to Epping when he was 16 and now lives in Stansted.

A professional student, and part-time oil rig safety officer, this guy is one interesting character.

His first degree in his early 20s was a BA in sociology at Humberside University, then he secured a masters in philosophy at the University of Wales, and he's currently in the middle of a "distance learning" law degree.

Throughout his studies, he wrote music, including that track Believe, fronting various bands, inspired throughout by his love of ska, blues and jazz.

His most recent track, Wasted, looks back at the trials and tribulations of being a student.

He adds: "Growing up I loved The Jam and The Who and was a big-time mod, but I now appreciate that every sort of music has its value. The album that I'm trying to get together has a hip-hop track in there, a Small Faces cover with a twist and even a funky house one."

Now Triggah is coming to terms with the modern-day music industry, as opposed to the one he grew up around, and dreamed of being involved in.

He points out: "When I was a kid the holy grail was signing a record contract with a major label. These days it's all so different.

"The downside of that major deal was that you only got about 10p in the pound.

" These days, if you sell your own material through the likes of iTunes and Napster, then you can get as much as 90p in the pound, but without all the advertising and marketing power the major label has.

"There's pros and cons, and Richard will be getting his cut, but right now I'm just happy to have had this opportunity and to be working with all these great musicians."

After a lengthy stint in Niles' studio recently, all the signs are that Triggah's time could finally have come.