....and replaced them with a humanoid replica band!

But they can not fool me! I know the Manhattan Transfer, they are jazzy, clever, and never stoop to mediocrity!

*sigh*

This is not a pleasant review to write. For those who have never heard of Manhattan Transfer, they are a group of singers, brilliant in jazz singing. They've been singing since long before I was born. Along the way changes have been made, and members have been replaced by new singers, but the quality, and the basic sound remains. I most definitely recommend looking into this band, but please steer clear of "Tonin'".

Although a longstanding band with a very distinct sound, the Manhattan Transfer has not stood still - their music is evolving all the time, and they are not afraid to experiment. And as experiments go, not all can succeed. In my opinion, this experiment is an embarrassing failure.

Tonin' is a compilation of famous old pop and soul songs - all covers. The album features big guest star names, but somehow their participation does not amount to much.

So let's go through the playlist painful though it may be...


Let's Hang On (Guest: Frankie Valli)

Starts with familiar and promising harmonics that define the Manhattan Transfer sound. Then a ridiculous synthesizer sound comes in, and the singing forms a familiar, easily recognisable tune.... sung in a very irritating whiny voice. There are better moments here too, but somehow they fail to rise above mediocrity at any point. What a disappointing start.


Groovin' (Guest: Felix Cavaliere)

This is not a bad song - some nice harmonics on the background, a good tune. But not jazzy by any means. The sort of stuff that may not make you change the channel if it played on the radio. Quite happy sunny mood.


It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Guest: Bette Midler)

Boring, boring, boring. Shopping music with lyrics and some nice vocals. A tedious poppy ballad performed in cheesy 80's style.


I Second That Emotion (Guest: Smokey Robinson)

Now here's a song that everyone should remember - originally by Smokey Robinson, this is a classic soulful ballad. Not a bad performance, but frankly, I see nothing that special in this version.


La-La Means I Love You (Guest: Laura Nyro)

The ballads continue. And just like with so many songs on the album, this one has a shallow cheesy feel to it. Again, quite a famous song, and I see this performance bringing nothing new to it. How I miss the jazzy clever Manhattan Transfer on this album!


Too Busy Thinking About My Baby (Guest: Phil Collins)

A soulful song again, and a famous one at that. I remember at least a Marvin Gaye version of the song, don't know whether it's the original. I'd be rather listening to Marvin right about now...


The Thrill Is Gone (Guest: Ruth Brown and B.B.King)

The thrill really was gone by the time I got to this song. It turns out that this version of the B.B. King classic is the best song the album has to offer - I actually found myself liking this one. Sounds a bit like Robert Cray to begin with, later transforms to adopt a distinct Manhattan Transfer touch. Classic blues very well performed.


Hot Fun In The Summertime (Guest: Chaka Khan)

The song starts out very promising, with definite jazzy sounds there. This one turns out to be an listenable song, but it's no gem. With all the disappointments behind in the first half of the album, it's pretty difficult to get exited about this one though. The lyrics aren't much to listen to, with most of it being just repetition of the title line.


Along Comes Mary

You might best remember this song from the recent version by Bloodhound Gang. Manhattan transfer does put a little effort into this one, but the backgrounds somehow give the song the shallow feel that runs trough the album.


Dream Lover (Guest: James Taylor)

A famous song written by Bobby Darin, that has spawned more than a couple of remakes. This is not a bad version. Still, I could see this band using their considerable talents much better... This is so... un-"Manhattan Transfer"-like, so unremarkable.


Save The Last Dance For Me (Guest: Ben E. King)

A song that needs no introduction. Originally by The Drifters, I think. Again, Manhattan Transfer gives a solid performance. A good band with a catchy song can hardly go wrong. But is there anything here that I haven't heard a million times before? Anything to justify yet another remake of this song? Any new angle, any new daring take on the classic? Not that I can see.


God Only Knows

Covering the Beach Boys now. A slow jazzy version, this is quite listenable. Relies totally on the harmonics as there is no band on the background in this one. As Manhattan Transfer fans know, the band is more than able to perform without background music. A good closing song for a shallow, disappointing album.

Recommended: No