Time Nightclub, Cheltenham. This is where the video for "Sweet Baby Shark" was filmed and, appropriately, this is where the video has its debut.

If you have read my review of Jayl's demo, you will know that Jayl is eclectic. Talking after the video's first showing, he explains to me that his influences are as diverse as underground acts like Magnus and Maya, through to more familiar names: Dylan, Bowie, Prince, Roger Waters, John Lydon. Pink Floyd and the Sex Pistols in the same sentence? How's that for diversity? The video only emphasises the eclecticism. Wannabe Kylies strut their stuff on bar surfaces, while their boyfriends and brothers break dance on the floor. There's even a guitarist dressed as a highwayman. 'What's he all about?' I ask Jayl. It seems a sensible question.

'It's a reference to my album "The World and the Hooded Man",' comes the answer. 'I'm really interested in history - legends of England. That's why I wanted to film [the video] in Time. Give it a really Gothic feel.'

It certainly does that. Amid all the up to the minute beats and modern dancing, at its heart "Sweet Baby Shark" is a story of forbidden, dangerous love that would not be out of place in a Brontë novel. Perhaps it is not surprising that Jayl cites Edgar Allan Poe as one of his influences.

I ask Jayl how he thinks the video went. 'Phenomenal,' he enthuses. As if to prove his point, we are treated to a documentary "Making of" film showing everyone working hard to get the video done, getting on well and having a good time to boot.

Surely there must have been some arguments. Surely. But Louisa from the film crew is quick to dispel such ideas: 'Everyone got on really well. You have to. Particularly when it came to editing. When you're spending five days in a small room with a high stress factor, you have to get on. And we did.'

So much so, in fact, that Louisa has now taken up Jayl's interest in martial arts. Better not say anything bad about him then.......

There is no one here short on praise for Jayl. In particular, there are many people who testify to how inspiring he is as a singing teacher.

It is his inspiration that impresses Mike Walter, the video's director. 'With Jayl, it's not so much about Jayl as everyone else. He could easily write a song for anyone here tomorrow.'

It is almost as if I am surrounded by a big family. Jayl welcomes this idea. He doesn't consider himself to have fans - even if his CDs are selling in their hundreds around the world. 'Who wants fans?' He asks. 'I've got members.'

That is what he wants most of all. Not just people who will buy his music, but people who will buy into his positive vision.

Although he is wary of the idea of being remembered ('Will Elvis really be remembered in 400 years time?' he ponders), it is this vision that Jayl will be remembered for. He dubs it "The Anti Bullshit Revolution." I ask him more about this.

'There was a time,' he explains, 'when everyone was against things. You had CND and protests against things that governments were doing. But now you don't have anything like that anymore. I want to change that.'

His intentions are not just political. They are all encompassing. From lying politicians right down to women buying anti-ageing cream. 'Why cover up the lines?' he asks. 'Those lines were created by your life experiences. They're beautiful.'

Life, for Jayl, is far too short to be concerned by the trivialities of wrinkles. There are more important things to deal with. This is why he is involved in projects as diverse as tree conservation through to asking questions about MMR vaccinations.

'I'm just one little voice in the wilderness,' he says. 'But if enough little voices get together, we might just be heard.'

His life experiences influence his music and philosophy. Raised in a children's home, he says he dragged himself "out of the gutter" away from some "very dark places". Because of this he provides as much encouragement to others as he can: be they singers, dancers or simply the people who listen to his music.

As a lyric to another song goes: "He who dares will win for sure/get off your arse, and go for more."

Jayl has been going for more for so long, he's probably forgotten where his arse is. Let's hope he never finds it again.

Jayl's single "Sweet Baby Shark" will be out in October.

An album will follow before Christmas

For more details about where you can see the video for "Sweet Baby Shark" visit Jayl's web site.

03/06/03 - First published on www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire on this link