Search - Al Jarreau :: Jarreau (Bonus Track) (Original Recording Remastered)

The greatest Al ever!

06/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you only own one Al album, then this should probably be it. 'Breakin' Away' is undeniably superb too, but THIS album simply has no low points at all.There cannot be a finer way to kick off an album than with 'Mornin' - play it in the car on the way to work every morning and your day will be that much better - it's just so uplifting. From there, 'Step by Step' and 'Save Me' are just typical brilliant Jarreau - the tempos vary but Al's voice just dances across the top of the melody and weaves vocal patterns that have to be heard to be believed.This truly is the album where Jay Graydon's production (which is always described in reviews as 'sympathetic') really complements Al's voice to the full - there are no deep bass or drum sounds, just shallower percussion and light electric pianos to allow Al's voice to create the depth itself. 'Black and Blues' and 'Trouble in Paradise' are the sort of singalong catchy stuff that win Al so many R'n'B awards, but the outstanding moment for me is 'Not Like This' - barely more than 2 minutes long, the emotional depths Al reaches in this song are breathtaking.Really, this album is special."

Sometimes ya just need some HAPPY music!

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 05/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In these increasingly cynical times, it does a body good to return to a time when "feel good" music flooded the airwaves. No better perveyor of that principal was Al Jarreau. This 1983 release exudes FUN and is guaranteed to get the listener into a positive frame of mind from the first sunny "'Mornin'" to the last encouraging "Love is Waiting". Along the way Jarreau waxes poignant with "I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele)" and "Save Me". Jarreau's co-writing of six of the album's nine songs demonstrates the singer's skills as both song stylist and lyricist. Backed by studio legends Jay Graydon, Jerry Hey and Toto's Jeff and Steve Porcaro, along with other exceptional musicians, the singer "takes wing" and ascends to wonderful heights of jazzy pop.



Jarreau proves that "lightness" can be quite "heavy" when the spirit needs uplifting.

"

I don't care what it is, I love it.

Steven Swain | Rocky Mount, VA USA | 02/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I went into the purchase of this album on the strength of the hit single "Mornin' " and had few, if any, expectations for the rest of it. Though I'm a huge contemporary jazz fan, Al Jarreau's early '80s output, especially pre- "Breaking Away" leaves me cold. Needless to say, when I discovered "Jarreau" is a soildly carfted slice of pop jazz heaven, I was astonished.



Detractors point to the other hit from this album, "Boogie Down," and call the whole album R&B fluff. I wholehartedly disagree, and even if I'm wrong, it's some awesome R&B fluff. Sublime songs like "I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele)" and "Step by Step" are rarely attempted these days, and usually don't come out as well as they do here.



This album is hard to find, and isn't for everybody, but if you've read this far, you know you want it. Start your search and be rewarded with excellence."