Fried is the result of David Steele's five year search for the perfect singer. Steele, former member of Fine Young Cannibals, discovered 23 year old gospel singer, Jonte Short at the 2001 New Orleans Jazz festival, and Fried was born. Paul provided string arrangements for their self titled debut album, which combines soul, funk and trip hop beats, with Jonte's soulful vocals. Other collaborators on the album include Beth Gibbons of Portishead, who co-wrote Love in a Stranger, and Rapper RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan on When You Get Out Of Jail.