I’m sure that if you were to ask Tuomo whether he listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder during the 3 year period this album took to write and record, he would be quite honest and say yes. And on tracks such as ‘So Surreal’ and ‘Puddle Of Love’ the influence of Wonder’s three-album golden era (Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs In The Key Of Life) are plain. But he uses these influences so delicately that it never seems like the simple laziness of a plagiarist.

In many ways Tuomo’s music has hints of that other former backing musician turned solo artist: Amp Fiddler. But whereas his (very respectable) offerings to date have often been at risk of descending into sub-Prince style jams, Tuomo always keeps it tight. There may be slap bass, organs and all the other essentials for a funky work-out, but Tuomo always resists the temptation, and the album is much stronger for it.

And Tuomo’s vocals deserve mention too. At times they suggest that other modern singer/songwriter looking to make something contemporary from his soulful influences: James Morrison. But whereas Morrison always seems like he’s been ham-stringed by his record label, wary of offending Mondeo Man or Daily Mail Woman with anything too out-there, Tuomo has been left to his own devices, and it’s all the better for it.

I really can’t over-emphasise how great this album is; lush vocals, great tunes and a fantastic band providing the authentic soul sound. It will probably give some idea of how much I’ve taken this album to heart if I say that last night I dreamed about a plot to stop Tuomo achieving the world domination he so obviously deserves. And while you chew on the disturbing psychological connotations of that, I’ll summarise My Thing by Tuomo with a comment from my wife after I played it to her: it’s like Jamiroquai would sound if he hadn’t lost his soul!

Links:
Tuomo on MySpace
Jupiter Records