WHEN Z Chen left the music industry abruptly four years ago, it fuelled talk that he had been dropped by his record company.

Not true, said the youthful-looking Malaysian singer, 36, who was in Singapore recently to promote his comeback album Enchanted.

Z shot to fame in 2002 with his mellow, soulful vocals, earning him the moniker Little Prince of R&B.

In an interview with The New Paper at Meritius Mandarin Hotel, he cleared the air; saying that it was 'a conscious move on his part'.

'I was disheartened and slightly depressed by the entertainment scene, so I simply didn't renew my contract when it ended in March 2005,' he said.

'The paparazzi turned up one day at my apartment in Taipei, armed with cameras, just as I was about to move out.

'Before I could do anything, they had taken a picture of me and somehow painted my whole situation as 'being down and out'.'

But Z said that he was simply tired and burnt-out.

'I was based in Taipei for years. But I realised I didn't know the city well,' he said.

'That was the result of working non-stop. I didn't know what Taipei's trademark delicacies were, (or) where the fun places were.

'And I didn't even have many Taiwanese friends.'

Things started changing when he began his self-imposed sabbatical.

He took time to relax and recharge.

Apart from visiting the local hot springs regularly, he cycled around town and queued up with the common folk to buy titbits.

'I became a normal person and my spirits were soon lifted,' he said.

'My friends and I played tennis in the afternoons, then hit the clubs at night.'

The avid traveller also toured frequently.

One of his most memorable trips was to Las Vegas, where he shared the same stage with US R&B singer Toni Braxton.

'Being a big fan, how could I miss her concert?' he said, beaming from ear to ear.

As fate would have it, Z was called onstage to sing one of her hit songs Another Sad Love Song with her.

'I happened to know every word of the lyrics.

'Of course, she (referring to Braxton) didn't know I was a singer. But it just felt so good standing next to her, with the crowd cheering us on.'

New perspective

Two recent deaths - of his idol and his best friend - have altered his perspective on life and work.

Z's idol is none other than King of Pop Michael Jackson, who died following a cardiac arrest last month.

'In his 50 years, MJ excelled in his career but it was sad that he gradually didn't have a life outside of his pop-star persona anymore,' he said with a sigh.

Break

'Once in a while, we need a break; it's good to take a step back from our hurried lives.'

It was the second blow in a year for Z when he lost his good friend Taiwanese balladeer Ah Sang, 34, who died of breast cancer in April.

He was 'extremely saddened'.

'I'd advise everyone to take every opportunity to catch up with friends. There is no point in procrastinating,' he said.

'Also, just go ahead and do whatever you've always dreamt of doing.'

For now, Z is putting his heart into working on Enchanted, which is 'very much a hands-on effort' compared with previous albums.

'In the past, I wasn't involved in my albums' behind-the-scenes work or post-production.

'I wasn't required to and, at the same time, I didn't think I had the ability to do so,' he said.

'Now, it's totally different. Taking a hands-on, DIY (do-it-yourself) approach, I realise I have learnt a lot besides singing.'

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