Jonny Tobin - Steppin' Out (2024)

Keyboardist, vocalist and producer Jonny Tobin hails from northwest Canada, has headlined Vancouver Jazz Festival and describes his music as the missing link between "90s videogames and 60s Blue Note". The music that makes up 'Steppin' Out', though, could much more simply be described as early 80s-style boogie given a 21st century update, which is to say there are strong influences, too, from hip-hop and R&B. The album features numerous guest vocalists and collaborators but hangs together coherently, with highlights for this reviewer including the rap-vocalled 'Change It Up' and the Prince/Scritti-isms of 'Drive Me Wild'.