THE DUKE

This album is just brilliant. It hooked me on the first play and it just grows and grows. Do you have to be a Joe Jackson fan? Well, probably not, as the album's style is a completely modern take that shares roots with much of his output but doesn't fit closely to it either. Having said that, if you are expecting something along the lines of Jumpin' Jive, you will probably enjoy this. That doesn't mean it is a repeat show of that album but with another composer - Duke goes in another direction altogether and is a complete re-interpretation of Ellington's music rather than the pastiche evident in Jumpin' Jive. The musicianship is inspired, and to make it even better, the sound quality of the recordings is exceptional. Crank it up! Thoroughly recommended.

This was ordered with a degree of caution-but Mr Jackson has again delivered an excellent piece of musical brilliance. I appreciate this may be a bit specialised for some peoples taste-but it is very well done and a very welcome addition to the collection.

One of the reasons I have always loved JJ and his topsy turvy career, is that like all the very best musicians in popular music (Steve Winwood, Frank Zappa, Ry Cooder, Jeff Beck) he is able to change without recourse to some overriding pressure from record companies to "produce more hits". The excellent Duke Ellington interpretative album is JJ's umpteenth left turn in his career (Jumpin'Jive, Body & Soul, Night Music etc) and all the better for it. And unlike the horribly dreary covers albums from the likes of McCartney, Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton; it takes chances and challenges at every turn without the loss of accessibility and melody. I really don't understand why the likes of Macca, Rod & Eric have delivered those godawful covers records - with the target market being the local Tesco store; and with as much musical integrity as One Direction. For ****'s sake, they don't need the money.... Whereas dear old JJ probably does need the money - and yet delivers a "covers record" with unpredictable musical twists & turns. Far more musically satisfying and yet obviously will sell fewer copies - ghastly message there methinks. JJ has been a Duke fan all his life, and you can hear the influence on albums like Body & Soul, so there was always a good chance he would deliver a Duke album. However, despite the guest stars included (Iggy Pop, Steve Vai, Sharon Jones etc) it is a very cohesive listen - with huge influences from Steely Dan (I Ain't Got Nothin But The Blues) , Latin jazz, bossa nova, gypsy jazz, film music and even Kraftwerk (Isfahan). And of course, the source material is just wonderful. It is little wonder that Duke is still revered today - these iconic songs will never diminish. Altogether thoroughly recommended for JJ, Steely Dan, Duke Ellington, jazz and discerning music fans generally - also available on vinyl which sounds just wonderful.

This is a really good album. As usual with Joe Jackson's albums, it seems some care has been taken in the recording process.

Yet again Joe Jackson has produced a fantastic musical journey. I dare anyone not to tap along to the rhythm. Is there any musical genre he cannot master

Excellent music, great cd.

Everything Joe Jackson does is class, from spiky song writing to the more jazzy stuff. I don't listen to much jazz, but I find his releases addictive. Night and Day was 5 star...Night and day maybe 3 or 4 star. As I listen to Duke I realise what made the difference between those two - he did all the vocals himself in Night and Day 1. Likewise in Duke - nothing like Jumpin Jive by the way as there's no brass - I find myself listening to the guest vocals just imagining how much better they would be with his own vocals.Still gets 4 stars as it drips class, but would have been 5 without all the inferior guest vocals...

Excellent, happily use again.