May 1, 2009 - For proof, check what should very well be their showcase track, “The Flood”. This song applies all the perfect amounts of JBJ’s several musical personalities, culminating in the band’s definitive song. If they can learn to wield this kind of power more often, they are looking at a very successful career - not just in Memphis, but maybe as far north as Brooklyn, too. (favorite10.com)
April 29, 2009 - Jump Back Jake’s debut album is called Brooklyn Hustle/Memphis Muscle, and hot damn, indeed—it’s exactly as advertised. The record is inspired by classic soul and blues, full of good horny horns, a mighty Hammond B3, and guitar work both sweet and stinging, but it’s not the work of a nostalgia act, either…The band’s mission is to take that classic Stax sound and make it relevant right now. Mission accomplished. Brooklyn Hustle/Memphis Muscle is a party record in spots and a smoky late-night groover in others. (The Hits Just Keep On Comin’)
April 18, 2009 - Retro bands have always been cool, but also a bit of a novelty. The current wave of metal bands with a huge 80s influence may be fun for a time, but I doubt they’ll have any lasting value. When swing came back in the 90s, its popularity barely lasted a year. But then there’s a band like Jump Back Jake that does it in just such a way that has me saying, “This is really really good. If they make the right appearances, maybe people will actually grab a hold of them as something more than another little trend.” And the reason Jump Back Jake stands out is because they offer not just a rehashing of an old sound but a complex melding of a diverse range of sounds. In just one album, I can pick out elements of blues, ska, classic rock, gospel, country, 90s alternative, jazz, punk, Southern rock, and funk. If that hasn’t sufficiently confused you, keep reading. (Taking Over)
April 2, 2009 - Jump Back Jake, a raw, horn-laced, Hammond-enhanced, smokey rock ‘n soul outfit recorded at Memphis’ famed Ardent Studios. Brooklyn Hustle / Memphis Muscle boasts meaty, seemingly live-in-the-studio retro-soul grooves (and a few acoustic asides) that would enhance the atmosphere of any respectable southern blues dive. (Never Get Out Of The Boat!)
Feb. 16, 2009 - This group has remarkable vintage taste in covers and sound, they can play their instruments, and even such a jaded and unkind critic as myself would go hear them again. One of their favorite musical places to go is The Meters, Papa Grows Funk, and the Gamble Brothers — the NOLA sound, which I don’t mind at all (and neither did the MG’s). Singer seems to like Ray Davies also. And a band that encores with the 13th Floor Elevators’ hit record, with Jake playing the jug part on electric guitar? (The Daily Docket)
Feb. 12, 2009 - Jump Back Jake: A Little Bit Of Rock With A Lot Of Soul (The Rock Dose)
Feb. 4, 2009 - I think they are best represented by their song, “The Flood” which mixes county funk, blues and ska melody lines (played beautifully on horns) into one, gorgeous, Southern soul stew - delicious and nutritious (Blog - Of course, I could be wrong…)
Jan. 28, 2009 - Brooklyn Hustle / Memphis Muscle is filled with brass augmented rock that will make your head bob up and down in appreciation (Here Comes The Flood)
