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For years now, the Milt Jackson Project has been part of vibraphonist Matthias Strucken's regular repertoire, and it is fair to say that Milt Jackson is an affair of the heart for him. Jackson (1923-1999), himself a vibraphonist and co-founder of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, was the definitive master of bluesy swinging and grooving cool jazz, which Strucken now revives in a rousing way together with pianist Martin Sasse, bassist Matthias Nowak and drummer Dominik Raab. It is the simplicity and clarity of melody and form that inspire Strucken: "Keep swinging and keep the soul in your music." I Loves You Porgy is the second release of the band, which is expanded in some tracks with guests Paul Heller, Joscho Stephan and Alfonso Garrido. The band's sound never sounds nostalgic, quite the opposite: "I loves You Porgy" shows a fascinating freshness, always turned towards the present, and is open to many influences that Milt Jackson himself would probably never have played in this way. It was important to Strucken to persistently expand his sound and tonal spectrum, which he succeeded in doing in an impressive way. His sound, rich in mood and variety, is fed by both the melodic and percussive possibilities of his instrument, which Strucken not only makes swing, but above all literally sing, warm and warm-hearted, rich in atmospheric sound effects, quasi "softly as in a morning sunrise" as the title of that famous piece reads, which Stucken quotes right in the opener and which also belonged to the repertoire of the Modern Jazz Quartet.