Album Review: Dear Mr. Sinatra by TOKU (2015)
If you’re a fan of jazz with a smooth, laid-back vibe, TOKU’s Dear Mr. Sinatra is one of those albums that sneaks up on you and stays in your playlist for weeks. Released in 2015 under Sony Records in Japan, this album feels like a warm hug from an old friend. It’s packed with classic tracks that Frank Sinatra made famous, but TOKU gives them his own twist—adding a touch of Japanese flair and his signature trumpet sound.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, when I first saw the tracklist, I thought, “Oh no, another tribute album trying too hard.” But TOKU doesn’t do that. He respects the originals while making them feel fresh. Two songs that really stuck with me? “Fly Me To The Moon” and “One For My Baby.”
“Fly Me To The Moon” starts off gentle, almost like TOKU is easing you into space rather than blasting off. His trumpet work here is just… wow. It’s soft but confident, like he knows exactly how to make you dreamy without overdoing it. And then there’s “One For My Baby,” which hits different late at night when you’ve got a glass of something strong in hand. TOKU’s version has this smoky, melancholic vibe that makes you wanna sit by a window and think about life. You know, the kind of song that makes heartbreak sound kinda beautiful.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going with gems like “My Way” and “Strangers In The Night.” TOKU manages to balance nostalgia with innovation, so even if you’ve heard these songs a hundred times before, they feel new again.
What struck me most about Dear Mr. Sinatra is how personal it feels. It’s not just a collection of covers—it’s TOKU paying homage to Sinatra while also telling his own story through music. By the time you get to the last track, “Five Minutes More,” you might find yourself wondering why TOKU isn’t more well-known outside Japan. Like, seriously, where’s the global buzz for this guy?
So yeah, if you’re looking for an album that’s both chill and classy, this one’s worth checking out. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming “Fly Me To The Moon” all day long. Oh, and fun fact—I listened to this album during a power outage once, and somehow it made the whole thing feel romantic instead of annoying. Music can do that sometimes, huh?
