They might not have been able to overcome a language barrier, but Hosono no doubt took a few cues via osmosis from producer Van Dyke Parks and applied them to his own solo work. Tropical Dandy might even be his version of Parks’ Discover America. It similarly draws on “island sounds” and New Orleans funk, while Hosono croons with a voice so smooth and AOR friendly that it might make you imagine a parallel world where Hosono is the next James Taylor or Boz Scaggs.

– Andy Beta