As a fan and producer, Michael Stewart has always favoured singers. Since he started seriously producing songs in the 1990s, the vocalist has done the lion’s share of songs for his Tell Dem Music company.

That label’s latest release is Wanna be With You, a lovers rock song by Mikey Spice. Stewart, known in South Florida music circles as Mikey Shines, told Observer Online that they first met over a decade ago and agreed to work together.

“He’s a smooth singer, which I always like wid my singers. Di songs wi did together have dat crisp flow,” said Stewart.

Wanna be With You is the latest song released from the recording sessions he and Mikey Spice conducted in South Florida. Previous songs, like Energy and Sunshine, were released intermittently.

Although his production activity increased when he moved to South Florida over 20 years ago, the Manchester-born Stewart got into the music business seriously while living in New York City.

Since moving to the Sunshine State, Stewart has produced songs by top artistes such as Marcia Griffiths, Jimmy Riley and Frankie Paul.

He has a cache of songs with Mikey Spice, whose hit singles include a cover of Barry White’s Practise What You Preach and Born Again.

“Wi never rush to put out music, dat’s not my style. Patience is a important thing in dis business,” said Stewart.

– Howard Campbell