The 'boogie-woogie king' - or, if you'd rather, that geezer who used to be in Squeeze who plays piano at the drop of a drum stick - returns with his tenth studio album for a typically eclectic big band mix.
Holland's already unique fusion of New Orleans, Sarf London boogie woogie and R&B is this time spiced with ska and blues. Reggae legends Rico Rodriguez and Michael 'Bammi' Rose offer Jools' orchestra an authentic vibe for Dancing Mood and Be My Guest, on which they pay tribute to the New Orleans sound and demonstrate its influence on Jamaica. Elsewhere Jools goes to town on Mr Robert's Roost, a classic by his big band hero, Count Basie. Holland regular Sam Brown delivers an angular rendition of the Dinah Washington standard Juicehead Blues while Ruby Turner sings a gospel version of Blowing In The Wind.
Also featuring performances by Solomon Burke (Roll This Soul Tonight) and Beverley Knight (Where In The World), Swinging The Blues is another fine album, demonstrating that Jools really can play (just listen to that left hand drive). The TV work might be his meal ticket, but this is his real love.
