AL JARREAU - All I Got (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Al Jarreau hits you with all he's got on his second release for the GRP/Verve recording label. The 11-song program, appropriately titled All I Got, features Jarreau's imaginative vocal stylings, lots of innovative urban sensibilities, and top-tier performances from a stellar band that includes his longtime musical director, Freddie Ravel, and a duet with guest star Joe Cocker. Urban innovation is more than a buzzword here. The urban sound of producer Paul Brown imparts a soulful message on such songs as "Random Act of Love,""Secrets of Love," the title track, and the very hip a cappella rendition of "Route 66," each of which reflects Jarreau's pioneered use of unfolding a musical story layer by layer. A prime example is his reverse take on street violence called "Random Act of Love," something this world desperately needs. Instead of just another range of excessive scatting and vocal gymnastics, Jarreau presents his listeners with real-world concepts that make a difference in your interpretations of these aural pleasures. He becomes a vehicle of revelation on the gospel-tinged "Feels Like Heaven to Me." On the other side of his musical personality is the lovely fullness of "Until You Love Me" and "Jacaranda Bougainvillea," both of which feature a string orchestra set against an oasis of vocal skills. Overall, All I Got showcases the award-winning Jarreau's unmistakable stylistic diversity in settings that are fluid, soulful, jazzy, and romantic. In some ways, the music even exceeds the versatility heard on the critically acclaimed Tomorrow Today. by Paula Edelstein  
Credits:
Backing Vocals – Bridgette Bryant-Fiddmont (tracks: 5), Caleb Simms (tracks: 6, 8), David Woods (tracks: 2), John Stoddart (tracks: 3), Kurt Lykes (tracks: 2), Ryan Jarreau (tracks: 7), Sherree Ford (tracks: 4), Siedah Garrett (tracks: 1), Susan Jarreau (tracks: 7), Trina Broussard (tracks: 3), Wendy Moten (tracks: 5)
Bass – Chris Walker (tracks: 7, 10), Larry Kimpel (tracks: 1, 5, 8), Roberto Wally (tracks: 3)
Drums – Jota Morelli (tracks: 7, 10), Steven Dubin (tracks: 1, 4), Teddy Campbell (tracks: 5, 8)
French Horn – Brad Warnaar (tracks: 8, 10), Nathan Campbell (tracks: 8, 10), Rick Todd (tracks: 8, 10)
Guitar – Darrell Crooks (tracks: 1), Paul Jackson Jr. (tracks: 2, 3), Ross Bolton (tracks: 7, 10), Tony Maiden (tracks: 5, 8)
Keyboards – David Torkanowsky (tracks: 3), Freddie Ravel (tracks: 7, 10), Jeff Lorber (tracks: 4), Larry Williams (tracks: 3, 8, 10), Manuel Seal (tracks: 4), Nelson Jackson (tracks: 1), Randy Kerber (tracks: 3), Rex Rideout (tracks: 6, 8), Ricky Peterson (tracks: 5, 8), Robbie Nevil (tracks: 1, 4), Tom Canning (tracks: 5)
Oboe – Jon Clarke (tracks: 8)
Percussion – Arno Lucas (tracks: 7, 10), Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Saxophone – Dan Higgins (tracks: 2, 5, 7), Joe Turano (tracks: 7), Kirk Whalum (tracks: 9)
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (tracks: 2, 5, 7)
Trumpet – Jerry Hey (tracks: 2, 5, 7)
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Joe Cocker (tracks: 5)

AL JARREAU - Accentuate The Positive (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although centered around songs from the 1940s, Al Jarreau's Accentuate the Positive is another stellar modern jazz album that continues the winning streak he began with his 2000 comeback, Tomorrow Today. Similar to his previous effort, the R&B-infused All I Got, the album features classy production from Tommy LiPuma and a natty cast of backing musicians, including bassist Christian McBride and guitarist Anthony Wilson, among others. Centered around Jarreau's still limber and evocative vocals, Accentuate moves from uptempo bluesy numbers like Eddie Henderson's "Cold Duck" to lush ballads, including "My Foolish Heart" and reworked standards, most notably "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," turned here into a funky and expansive toe-tapper. This is a solid, poignant, and straight-ahead album that showcases Jarreau's unique gift in the best light possible and should appeal to longtime fans and contemporary jazz listeners alike. by Matt Collar
Tracklist:
1 Cold Duck 3:46
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Percussion – Luis Conte
Tenor Saxophone – Keith Anderson
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Eddie Harris
2 The Nearness Of You 3:43
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Williams
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
3 I'm Beginning To See The Light 4:04
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Larry Goldings
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Don George, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
4 My Foolish Heart 5:32
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
5 Midnight Sun 6:01
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Williams
Harmonica – Tollak Ollestad
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke
6 Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive 4:03
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Tenor Saxophone – Keith Anderson
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
7 Betty Beop's Song 4:16
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Freddie Ravel
8 Waltz For Debby 4:44
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Bill Evans, Gene Lees
9 Groovin' High 4:11
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Dizzy Gillespie
10 Lotus 5:11
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Don Grolnick
11 Scootcha-Booty 4:26
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Piano – Russell Ferrante
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Russell Ferrante