Playing piano and keyboards, Simon Lasky mixes originals and clever covers with his team of Peter Mongaya/g, Elias Tona/eb, Jonathan Thomas/dr and guests Ona K/voc, Tim Garland/ss, Paul Booth/ts and James Suggs/tp. Ona K shines on a soulful read of the soul classic “Human Nature” and glides over Thomas’ cadencing cymbals on “Closer To The Sky” with Sugg’s muted trumpet a perfect foil for the vocalist on “Bye Bye Blackbird”. The horns are upbeat for a textured “The Outsiders” with Tona grooving hard, and the leader is elegant on “Half A World Away” and embracing on the warm “Everyday Hero” featuring Booth’s palpable tenor. Upbeat beats.