Coming from a background that appeals to this girl who takes the gym very seriously Tyrone Mr. SuperFantastic gives us an album called “Long Road” that could either be played while getting a good work out or it could be the perfect record to unwind after it. Tyrone is a fitness wellness trainer that shares this passion with music. There is an incredibly good vibe coming from even the darker material covered. There are some really romantic songs on this record. My heart skips a beat every time I hear “This Guy’s in Love”. I am not a guy but the lyrics and sentiments are everything a girl feels too. In fact, this whole record seems to have the feel of an old friend showing you his photo album and saying this is a snapshot of my life.
It appears from the choice of songs TMSF grew up listening to the music on the radio in the 1960s or 1970s. He even must have seen a few Broadway shows in his day. There is also a distinct Jazz flavor that goes in and out. The EPK of this artist emphasizes the R&B influence that is so clearly heard as well. Very much a marriage between Motown and Blue Note Records and this marriage has resulted in a very personal and warm record. There are 70’s funk-inspired artists like Billy Preston covered here. The “Will It Go Round In Circles” benefits by having the raw soul elevated by TMSF’s intricate Jazz phrasing that he must have learned from the real masters like Louie and Duke or Ella or Anita.
“Hey There” is one of the most commercial sounding cuts on the album. Lyrically, it is like the pep talk that every girl wants to hear from her BFF. Sound wise it has the New York City strut that is most evident in a song like “New York New York”. It is muted but it still comes through. The only one that breaks up the good-time vibe is “Mr. Bojangles”, which kind of made me cry. When you see a homeless or street person out and about with a dog, you start to feel really bad for the dog. It was just too sad for me and I was happy to be back on Broadway instead of skid row. Overall all though I like this record a lot and could definitely see me and my hubby putting this on after dinner, when the kids are asleep and dancing under the stars (in our living room of course!)
