Released 40 years ago
L Is for Lover
Al Jarreau · 1986
45 min · 10 tracks · funk
A smooth blend of jazz-inflected rhythms and soulful melodies wrapped around intimate love themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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L Is for Lover — The title track encapsulates the album's romantic themes with a rich melodic structure, highlighting Jarreau's signature vocal improvisation.
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Tell Me What I Gotta Do Start here — Opening the album with an infectious groove, this track showcases Jarreau's playful lyrics and dynamic vocal delivery, setting the tone for the record.
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No Ordinary Romance — This song stands out with its heartfelt lyrics and intricate harmonies, illustrating Jarreau's talent for blending storytelling with musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal craftsmanship and rhythmic complexity but lacks a cohesive narrative throughout.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate vocal arrangements, with Jarreau often layering his voice in harmonies that create a rich texture.
- Several tracks incorporate syncopated rhythms and jazz chord progressions, particularly evident in the song 'L Is for Lover'.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier songs.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- smooth grooves for intimate moments
- steady pacing for relaxed vibes
- soulful vocals enhance romantic atmosphere
- mid-tempo flow for easy listening
- vibrant soundtracks for evening gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Jarreau's commercial success and mainstream appeal.
- Career context
- By 1986, Al Jarreau was deep into his career, having gained significant acclaim with hits like 'We're in This Love Together' from his previous album, 'Breakin' Away'. 'L Is for Lover' marked a continuation of his exploration into sophisticated adult contemporary sounds, solidifying his status within the smooth jazz genre during this period.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Bobby McFerrin· Stevie Wonder
Tracklist
- 1 Tell Me What I Gotta Do Start here 4:01
- 2 L Is for Lover 5:23
- 3 Says 3:51
- 4 Pleasure 4:00
- 5 Golden Girl 5:51
- 6 Across the Midnight Sky 5:35
- 7 (We Got) Telepathy 4:25
- 8 Give a Little More Lovin' 5:12
- 9 No Ordinary Romance 3:32
- 10 Real Tight 3:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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