Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive

Released in 1982, Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive represents a deliberate stylistic departure for the British musician. Following the success of his new wave output, Jackson turned his attention to the music of the 1940s, specifically the jump blues and swing popularized by figures like Louis Jordan and Cab Calloway. This project was conceived as an affectionate tribute to a bygone era of American jazz, reflecting Jackson's desire to experiment with big band arrangements and period-accurate instrumentation.

The PGP RTB release (catalog number 2221020) is a specific regional pressing produced under license in Yugoslavia. While the album was recorded in London with a group of musicians assembled for their ability to replicate the spirited, improvisational feel of the swing era, the PGP RTB edition highlights the record's international reach during the early 1980s. Critics at the time praised the record for its technical proficiency and Jackson's vocal versatility, though it remains a niche entry in his discography, valued primarily by collectors interested in high-quality international pressings of crossover jazz-pop experiments.