Album Review: Jamie Cullum, "Catching Tales" (Verve)

This 25-year-old pianist/crooner is doing his best to bridge the gap between Dean Martin and Jamiroquai, and dang if he isn't getting away with it. "Catching Tales" continues the curious direction of his 2004 album, "Twentysomething," and the result is quite enjoyable.

The slinky funk of the opening cut "Get Your Way," Cullum's collaboration with hip-hop impresario Dan the Automator that features a Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra sample, recalls Digable Planets' "Cool Like That." Meanwhile, the eyebrow-raising '80s drum sounds make the cover of "I Only Have Eyes for You" a peculiar one.

Then Cullum turns on a dime into ballad territory. From the folky original "Photograph," which has Elton John/Bernie Taupin all over it, to the Sinatra-flavored "7 Days To Change Your Life," to an exquisite take on the Jimmy Dorsey/Paul Mertz composition "I'm Glad There Is You," Cullum's obviously got the chops to win the kids--and parents--over.

He keeps up the jazz love with the mid-tempo swing of "Nothing I Do" (dig those high vocal harmonies), while the lazy summer Motown funk of "Mind Trick" could have easily come from Stevie Wonder or George Duke.

He can easily pull off the singsong style of a Randy Newman or early Billy Joel, but there's no doubt he swings harder than both, with scruffier edges than Harry Connick or Peter Cincotti. And he's British? Blimey.