London-based singer/songwriter Alexander George "Alex" Clare grew up listening to his fatherGÇÖs jazz records, was drawn to blues and soul (Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder), and eventually to drumGÇÿnGÇÖbass and U.K. garage. Though Clare took up the trumpet and drums as a youngster, he eventually placed an emphasis on guitar and songwriting, playing open-mike nights with original material. A demo earned him a deal with the Island label in the U.K., and he was set up with producers Diplo and Switch, who contributed to the making of ClareGÇÖs first album, The Lateness of the Hour,...