Recorded back in 2016, this double disc has vocal legend Al Jarreau in inspired form, giving his own personal renditions of Ellingtonia with the NDR Big Band. The glorious part of this album is that Jarreau is not at all intimidated by Ellington’s sound, as he signs each of these sons his own personal pen. AT this stage in his career, Jarreau is still his flexible self, and you can detect hints of both Eddie Jefferson and Johnny Mathis in his delivery, hip and swinging easy on “Drop Me Off In Harlem” and earthy on the Afro Cuban take of “Satin Doll”. He’s suave and sophisticated on “ I Got IT Bad” and bops “Take The ‘A’ Train” to death until there’s no more coal in the engine. He hits the jive for “I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart” and goes into the tender trap of “Sophisticated Lady”. Vocal, ease!