Look to the Rainbow
73 min · 12 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of jazz, funk, and soul that showcases Al Jarreau's vocal acrobatics and improvisational flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Letter Perfect Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Look to the Rainbow — The title track encapsulates the album's optimistic themes, blending rich harmonies with Jarreau's dynamic vocal delivery. Its lush arrangement highlights his ability to convey deep emotion through music.
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Take Five — This interpretation of the classic piece transforms the iconic jazz standard into a smooth, vocal-driven experience, showcasing Jarreau's innovative approach to rhythm and melody.
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Rainbow in Your Eyes — The song features intricate vocal phrasing and a vivid narrative style that captures the essence of Jarreau's storytelling ability, making it a standout on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and funk with strong vocals, though its cohesion dips due to varied track styles.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- gradual build to emotional release
- vibrant energy for evening gatherings
- intricate arrangements inviting deep listening
- soulful reflections on personal connections
- engaging storytelling through vocal agility
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Al Jarreau's emergence as a prominent figure in jazz and R&B.
- Themes
- vibrant storytelling· optimistic melodies· smooth jazz improvisation
- Career context
- Released in 1976, Look to the Rainbow was Al Jarreau's third studio album and marked his emergence as a prominent figure in the jazz and R&B scenes. Following his acclaimed debut, We Got By, this album solidified his unique style that fused various genres, establishing him as an innovative vocalist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Bobby McFerrin· Stevie Wonder
Tracklist
- 1 Letter Perfect Start here 5:30
- 2 Rainbow in Your Eyes 6:29
- 3 One Good Turn 6:44
- 4 Could You Believe 6:54
- 5 Burst In With the Dawn 6:01
- 6 Better Than Anything 5:12
- 7 So Long Girl 4:07
- 8 Look to the Rainbow 8:16
- 9 You Don’t See Me 5:43
- 10 Take Five 6:44
- 11 Loving You 4:57
- 12 We Got By 6:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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