Jarreau
Al Jarreau · 1983
38 min · 9 tracks · funk
An eclectic blend of smooth jazz, funk grooves, and soul-inflected vocals creates a vibrant sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mornin’ Start here — This opening track introduces listeners to Jarreau’s signature vocal acrobatics and sets an uplifting tone for the album. Its blend of soft jazz elements with a catchy melody exemplifies the artist's style.
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Boogie Down — Infused with infectious energy, this track highlights Jarreau's playful lyrics and rhythmic vocal delivery, making it a standout party anthem that captures the album's fun spirit.
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I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele) — This song showcases Jarreau's ability to incorporate world music influences into his work, conveying heartfelt emotion through its rich harmonies and soulful delivery.
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Step by Step — Demonstrating Jarreau’s intricate phrasing and dynamic vocal range, this track blends pop sensibilities with jazzy undertones, standing out for its lyrical optimism.
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Love Is Waiting — The closing track encapsulates the warmth and romantic themes present throughout the album, featuring lush instrumentation that complements Jarreau’s smooth vocals beautifully.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends genres effectively while showcasing Jarreau's vocal prowess, making it distinctive within its era.
What we noticed
- Vocal harmonies are layered throughout, with Jarreau often employing scat singing and improvisation to enhance the melodies.
- Several tracks feature prominent brass sections and rhythmic bass lines, creating a rich funk sound that is consistent across the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo enjoyment
- uplifting morning vibes
- smooth background listening
- dynamic vocal explorations
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped further popularize Jarreau's sound and solidified his reputation.
- Career context
- Released in 1983, 'Jarreau' is Al Jarreau's fifth studio album and marks a period of artistic peak following his Grammy-winning success. This album showcases his unique vocal style and genre-blending capabilities that had already gained him critical acclaim with previous releases such as 'Breakin' Away' in 1981. It solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the smooth jazz and R&B scenes during the early 1980s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Bobby McFerrin· Stevie Wonder
Tracklist
- 1 Mornin’ Start here 4:14
- 2 Boogie Down 4:10
- 3 I Will Be Here for You (Nitakungodea Milele) 4:14
- 4 Save Me 6:27
- 5 Step by Step 4:26
- 6 Black and Blues 4:49
- 7 Trouble in Paradise 3:49
- 8 Not Like This 2:38
- 9 Love Is Waiting 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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