Recorded in a studio near Chris Jagger’s long-standing collaborator and pianist Charlie Hart’s Lewisham home, at Jagger’s farmhouse, and down the line to each other when lockdown restrictions were in force, Mixing up the Medicine is a loose, lively 10-track collection of Jagger/Hart originals that features a hit-list of top players.

These include old friend Olly Blanchflower on double bass; Atcha band alumnus Dylan Howe on drums; veteran producer John Porter, who’s worked with artists including The Smiths, Roxy Music, Buddy Guy, BB King and Elvis Costello; guitarist Neil Hubbard (Bryan Ferry, Joe Cocker); as well as brother, Mick Jagger, whose vocals appear on “Anyone Seen My Heart?,” the first song on the album.

Chris used poems by early 19th century writer and physician Thomas Beddoes for three songs: the irresistible Madness-like ska-pop knees-up of the opening “Anyone Seen My Heart?,” the sea shanty-ish “Loves’ Horn” and the voodoo soul of “Wee Wee Tailor.” Into Hart’s ‘jazzer’ category we can fit “Talking to Myself,” the New Orleans sass of lead track “Merry Go Round” and the in-the-wee-small-hours croon and groove of “A Love Like This.” Honorable mention, too, to the comforting bluesy lament of “Hey Brother,” a lovely ode to lifelong fraternal bonds.