This Way Up is the first full-length release by The Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra, a 7-piece orchestral funk-pop ensemble based in Champaign, IL, featuring 4-part vocal harmonies, ukulele, violin, tuba, saxophones, electric bass, rock drums and Latin percussion. The self-produced album was recorded and mixed by Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios, IL in the Fall of 2009, and mastered by the late Jon Schoenoff. The song takes for This Way Up were recorded over a period of a few days with most of the material being performed live in the studio. Minimal overdubbing was used for vocal harmonies and percussion. This Way Up was voted #4 of the Top 10 Local Albums of the year on SmilePolitely.com. “There are no lemons, only lemonade. High vocals, low vocals, tantalizing instrumental moments. No two alike, but just because they're that good, not because they had to work that hard to sound different. Every number inspired. These guys have really raised the floor level in a music scene with a long history of great talent.” -Reviewer HBigDaddy, This Way Up Album Reviews “In the course of an evening, you’ll hear airy wisps of ’60s Pop sweetness, Tin Pan Alley ham, Blues swagger, Jazz and Ragtime swing, Gospel reverence, Motown Soul and Classical precision, played with technical precision and jammy abandon.”- Brian Baker, City Beat