Even the most noble of tribute efforts can be sunk by a maudlin sense of care, the feeling that the great works being presented are sacrosanct — rather than living, malleable pieces of art. This album deftly avoids those mistakes. You May Also Like: When Miles Davis Finally Looked BackRead More

Joe Jackson tries to radically reinterpret many of Duke Ellington’s best-known works. Some remakes emit sparks, but all too few.