He’s been on scores of records over the past 25 years, but Quid Pro Quo is his third solo album, and first in the last 10 years. Sulton plays all the instruments except for a few guitar parts and covers all vocals. The compositions are mostly in the singer/songwriter format with a singular guitar and other instruments supporting. Sulton is the composer of all the tracks except for Neil and Tim Finn’s “Where is my soul ?” and Nilsson’s “Remember”. As a secret bonus at the end of the album, there are a few minutes of what sounds like a old Utopia song (??) from the 1970’s.

It’s amazing how Sulton’s voice sounds as good now as it did 25 years ago. He still sings better than most of the people you’d hear on FM radio these days. Musically, the compositions are catchy pop arrangements similar in style to something that you might hear on an “adult rock” station.

The lyrics mostly deal with interpersonal relationship issues and other sensitive first-person stuff.

There are some interesting chord changes and turnarounds here and there, but no real surprises or flashy instrumental parts. Straightforward and direct is the approach here. Those who enjoy well-crafted and well performed melodic pop music would enjoy this.

Many thanks to Steve Herrig (Pushing Red Buttons) for forwarding this review. Exposé is a prog-rock magazine.