What makes Tonin' by The Manhattan Transfer notable?

'Tonin'' is significant for its bold reimagining of timeless pop hits, demonstrating The Manhattan Transfer's ability to blend genres while maintaining commercial appeal. The album reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart, further solidifying the group’s position as a vital force in the contemporary jazz scene. By 1995, The Manhattan Transfer was in their second decade, riding the success of their Grammy-winning album 'Brazil' from 1987. 'Tonin'' marked a return to their roots in vocal jazz and a celebration of classic pop songs, showcasing their refined sound as well as new arrangements that appealed to both long-time fans and a newer audience.

Tonin' works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, for sunny afternoons and upbeat sing-alongs with friends.

How many songs are on Tonin'?

Tonin' has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Tonin'

The Manhattan Transfer · 1995

51 min · 12 tracks · blues

An exuberant fusion of jazz harmonies and pop classics delivered with intricate vocal arrangements and playful energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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It's Gonna Take a Miracle — This track exemplifies the group's rich vocal harmonies and emotional depth, transforming a soul classic into a soulful jazz arrangement that showcases their versatility.
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La-La Means I Love You — The lush vocal interplay and heartfelt delivery on this track highlight the group's ability to convey warmth and nostalgia through their signature style.
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Save the Last Dance for Me — Their rendition captures both the joy and longing inherent in the original, illustrating how The Manhattan Transfer can breathe new life into beloved standards.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal arrangements and reimagined classics, balancing jazz and pop effectively.

What we noticed

The album features intricate vocal harmonies with multiple singers often overlapping lines, creating a rich texture.
Each track is a reinterpretation of a classic pop song, maintaining the original melodies while infusing them with jazz elements.
Several tracks incorporate playful call-and-response sections, enhancing the lively energy throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
for sunny afternoons
upbeat sing-alongs with friends
nostalgic vibes with fresh arrangements

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks
seek experimental soundscapes

Where this album fits

Career context: By 1995, The Manhattan Transfer was in their second decade, riding the success of their Grammy-winning album 'Brazil' from 1987. 'Tonin'' marked a return to their roots in vocal jazz and a celebration of classic pop songs, showcasing their refined sound as well as new arrangements that appealed to both long-time fans and a newer audience.
Stylistic neighbors: The Swingle Singers· Pentatonix· Vocalosity