The Gleaner caught up with Natel at Com Mek Wi Laaf - It's Christmas on Sunday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. The 22-year-old who placed fifth in the 2005 Digicel Rising Stars talent show has not rolled over and played dead.

On Sunday night, he was the sole vocalist on a line-up that included comedic acts such as Elva, Leighton Smith and Antiguan Silbert 'Birdman' Gordon. The smooth singer, who seemed an odd placement on a comedy show, delivered material ranging from Lionel Richie's Hello to Jah Cure's Call On Me with much ease and vocal mastery. Dressed the part with dark glasses to boot, he had females from the audience clamouring to meet him after his performance.

"I've just been recording up a storm. I have enough material for about 10 albums," said the St Ann native who has entrusted his career development to Mikie Bennett of Grafton Studios.

Natel's recording storm has borne fruit in the form of You Turn Me On, a duet with Cherine Anderson, who has been enjoying tremendous success on the international scene.

A video for You Turn Me On, he said, was shot and should be out soon, but until then the song is enjoying local success with its entry on the Richie B Top 10 chart.

And there's more in store, but Natel is not really saying. The twinkle in his eyes, however, suggests that it is going to be big.

In the meantime, the self-proclaimed "grown and sexy" singer is courting as many gigs as he can in his bid to achieve his performance goal for 2010 - to appear on Reggae Sumfest.

And what better way to shake the former Rising Stars hopeful image and be declared an honest to goodness star?

After all, he already looks the part.

- T.M.