Despite his penchant for making music using other people’s songs, and being labeled a tribute act, Buble has managed to be loved and gain a massive fan following. That, in a nutshell, would be the cool and calm vocalist Michael Buble (pronounced Boo-blay) who has a gift for making some of the greatest songs of all time entirely his own. Canada born Buble’s eighth album has ten songs with four original tracks co written by Buble himself. The album has classics that are still loved even today. Buble’s sassy vocals laced with jazz and R & B, put you in the mood for dancing.

The opener You make me feel so young popularized by Frank Sinatra almost six decades ago, is mature with a traditional big band arrangement that sets a classic tone for the album to move on. It’s a Beautiful day which is also the album’s lead single has good electric guitar work. Buble moves into classic mode again with Smokey Robinson’s Who’s Lovin you, Randy Newman’s You’ve got a friend in me. Take your pick from the best and you have the Bee Gees’ To Love Somebody, Dean Martin’s Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You) featuring the Puppini sisters and the Elvis classic Have I Told You Lately  featuring Naturally 7. These like most others sound cool, retro and authentic with just the right treatment of song and rhythm.

There are a few let-downs however, the duet with Reese Witherspoon (Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s original Something Stupid), wherein Buble takes more of the spotlight with Witherspoon relegated to act more as background vocals. You can barely hear her vocals being highlighted. Bryan Adams who features on After all is almost wasted, as he really does not have a major section to sing and dance about, but then this fellow Canadian has supported Buble after all in this funky rock piece.

More than a tribute to the gold standard of music's most enduring songs; more than homage to a bygone era of songwriting and performing, Buble’s work has an old flavor with a fresh sound. The old lyrics, the romance it brought, and the voice is impeccable and his presentation is unique. He has a voice to last forever. Though the handsome dude is singing to a generation that is growing up with hip hop, his music is sure to get a hold of you. Girls are sure to get carried away by his soft tone and great looks as such love laced songs get a strong female following. The music industry on the other hand, is thankful that an artist young as he is, has gone back in time and is making music he loves and reliving an era gone by.

With this album, Bublé proves his aptitude not just for swing, but for pop music spanning several decades.

Rating: ***1/2

-- Reviewed by Verus Ferreira