Rain drenched in classy musicianship

9:54am Thursday 17th January 2008

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Rain: Joe Jackson (Rykodisc).

In the late 1970s and early 1980s Joe Jackson, along with Elvis Costello and Graham Parker, was an important part of the New Wave era.

They created edgy music which sat well within that musical genre but was of such quality that you realised they would have been successful whenever they had recorded their songs.

Jackson had hits with tracks like Is She Really Going Out With Him? It's Different For Girls, Steppin' Out and the excellent Breaking Us In Two.

Later he moved to more eclectic pop, jazz and classically-influenced pieces - he was, after all, trained in piano at the Royal College of Music.

Now living in Berlin, Jackson continues to write thoughtful and musically challenging songs, as evidenced on his new album, Rain.

The album, which is released on January 28, was recorded with long-time collaborators Graham Maby and Dave Houghton and the tracks have a musical confidence which highlights just how well the trio gel and understand each other. There are no guitars here - just piano, bass and drums - but the musicianship is so high you don't miss them.

There are several potential singles - the lovely Wasted time, the bright and breezy Rush Across The Road would be good contenders.

Opening track Invisible Man is full of changes of pace, while Too Tough, Good Bay Boy and A Place In The Rain show that Jackson's ear for melody and a catchy hook is as strong as ever.

Solo (So Low) is bleak but engaging, King Pleasure time is almost New Wave and The Uptown Train highlights the light jazzy sound that Jackson excels at.

Overall, Rain, which also features a bonus DVD featuring live performances and interviews, is an enjoyable album from a musician who is clearly not willing to rest on his laurels. The songs stands up there with the best of his material and show he is still a musical force with which to be reckoned.