Robbie Dupree first burst onto the music scene in 1980 with his debut album which delivered two hit singles in the shape of “Steal Away” and “Hot Rod Hearts”. Now ,in 2008, Robbie is back with his ninth album and what a little gem it is. The performances one Time & Tide feature a band that Robbie has been touring with for the past five years and the songs reveal an outfit that is comfortable, relaxed and supremely in tune with each other.

From start to finish Time & Tide is a lesson in taste and musical maturity. Each song is supremely melodic and drenched with intriguing lyrics that Robbie has described as “very personal”. One of the most obvious comparisons to describe the style served up would be Steely Dan thanks to truly sumptuous vocal arrangements and slick and deep grooves that wrap themselves around the listener. “Sugar Tree” is a prime example of this wonderful effect as is “Secret Love” with its wonderful funky delivery.

If you are looking for an album to immerse yourself in and take you to the land of “chill” you need to seek out “Time And Tide”, then kick back relax, drift off and then when it’s finished do it all over again. I’ve been doing that all week now and on each listen the album just gets better and better. Unreservedly recommended.