Alongside his career as an enigmatic pop virtuoso, the British producer Jai Paul has spent much of the past decade quietly fostering new talent. In 2016 he and his brother AK Paul formed the record label Paul Institute, and have since released singles from a range of fresh voices. Earlier this year, singer Fabiana Palladino released her lively debut album on the label, channelling the 80s funk-soul of Teena Marie. Now labelmate Ruthven brings his own take on the decade, journeying into the instrumental intricacies of Prince and the vocal melodies of Michael McDonald with his forthcoming debut album, Rough & Ready.

A former firefighter from south London, Ruthven – real name Sean Nelson – spent quiet shifts writing demos before responding to an open call for artists from the Paul Institute and releasing his debut single, Evil, in 2017. Since then, he has honed his layered falsetto harmonies and shuddering synth melodies across a handful of singles, and while touring with 2017 Mercury prize winner Sampha.

The experience shows on Rough & Ready’s cohesive 12 tracks, which reference Jai Paul’s ear for close backing harmonies and Sampha’s staccato vocal delivery as well as carving Nelson’s own sound through a deep syncopated groove. “A central theme to the album is playfulness,” he says in an interview with Stereogum. “It’s a reminder that music should always be fun.”

• Rough & Ready is out on 25 October via Paul Institute / XL Recordings