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Rating: Good |
Al Jarreau finally found success in the U.S. with 1975's We Got By. Subsequent albums like 1977's live Look to the Rainbow and 1978's All Fly Home earned him the all-important cult status and accolades from the jazz community. These facts make his switch to pop/R&B on This Time even more surprising.
For This Time, Jarreau was paired with producer Jay Graydon, a longtime session musician who had co-written Earth, Wind & Fire's “After the Love Has Gone.” Despite his jazz reputation, This Time proves that Jarreau is really at home in this style.
The jittery “Never Give It Up” and the melodic and pensive “Gimme What You Got” have a bright, refined L.A. sound, and Jarreau gives the songs weight with his methodical yet playful vocals. In a similar vein, the poignantly sung and arranged “Your Sweet Love” shows Jarreau’s gift for injecting emotion where you least expect it. Jarreau also adds deft lyrics to jazz standards “(A Rhyme) This Time” and “(I Can Recall) Spain.” The best track to bridge the gap between the two incarnations, “Alonzo,” is strikingly beautiful, finding Jarreau reaching almost operatic heights. Upon its release, This Time was stunning for its fresh sound and sense of warmth. On repeat, these attributes remain true.
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= Track List =
