Adam Jacobs - One Jump Ahead (One Man. One Jump! Version)

Buy Adam's album, Right Where I Belong, here (Amazon UK)

Four weeks from today, I'll be watching Disney's newest musical as it opens in the the swanky West End. Aladdin has already wowed audiences across the pond in Broadway and looks set to do exactly the same here. I've a rich history of falling in love with classic Disney movies in their stage interpretations (see here) so I was thrilled to note that Broadway's Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, has not only released an exhilarating swing version of One Jump Ahead (from the Aladdin soundtrack), but that it is also part of an entire album dedicated to the songs of genius Alan Menken. For those of you not in the know, Alan Menken has steered the musical journeys of films and stage vehicles as diverse as Little Shop Of Horrors, Beauty and The Beast, Newsies, Galavant and, of course, Aladdin. His words are in safe hands in the expressive vocal stylings of the engaging Mr Jacobs as One Jump Ahead demonstrates. He keeps all the exuberance and adrenaline rush of the original, and gives it sparkling new nuances and fascinating personality through his own little insights and quirks. It's an absolute joy to listen to - the rat pack-esque vibe gives the song a giddy, galloping sensation with Adam infusing his sizzling vocal delivery with a delicious theatrical verve and flair that's just too too hard to resist. The video is equally as delightful - often it's just Adam, and then variants of Adam but it is never less than 100% compelling. Kudos to whoever thought of the Elvis/Queen cameos - pure genius (and have the pause button ready to spot a whole host of familiar characters in the final few moments). Just a wonderful hoot from start to finish - I'll be back to give more (wildly enthusiastic) thoughts about Adam's album very soon :)