Robbie Dupree - Time and Tide (2008)

Appearing in Europe and Japan in 2008 and finally seeing American release in 2010, Time & Tide is a coolly relaxed, mature effort from Robbie Dupree. Continuing his collaboration with songwriter David Sancious -- they cut an album together in 2003 -- Dupree eases into a smooth groove that’s considerably jazzier than anything from his early-‘80s heyday. There are echoes of Gaucho-era Steely Dan, particularly given the emphasis on keyboard-driven groove, and Michael McDonald, but this feels distinctively Dupree’s, thanks to the soulful grooves, harmonica flourishes, and focus on his warm conversation vocals. Time & Tide is somewhat out of time -- it’s unconcerned with fashion, it could have been released anywhere from 1988 to 2008 -- but it’s a coolly engaging, smooth jazz-soul record that arguably holds together better than his hit albums from the early ‘80s.