al Jarreau L is For Lover

Al Jarreau’s final recording, Ellington, serves as a remarkable tribute to Duke Ellington’s timeless music and a fitting end to Jarreau’s legendary career, recorded shortly before his passing in 2017. This live recording with the NDR Bigband captures Jarreau’s unique ability to blend jazz, pop, and R&B, giving fresh interpretations to classics like “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good),” and “Come Sunday.” The album also marks a full-circle moment, reconnecting Jarreau with ACT Music founder Siggi Loch, who first discovered him and launched his career in Europe. With his six Grammy awards spanning multiple genres, Jarreau’s vocal mastery and emotional depth are on full display, making Ellington a must-have for any jazz lover. This album is not only a celebration of Jarreau’s unmatched artistry but also a poignant tribute to the legacy of both Jarreau and Ellington.

The world of music was forever changed in 2013 with the passing of legendary keyboardist, composer and producer George Duke. This year, Al Jarreau, famed vocalist and long-time friend of Duke, re-interprets some of Duke's renowned catalog of post-bop, jazz-fusion, R&B and Brazilian jazz with My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. This work also hosts a stellar blend of guest artists including Gerald Albright, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, Lalah Hathaway, Jeffrey Osborne, Kelly Price, Dr. John, and more, with a special appearance by George Duke on the track "Bring Me Joy" which also features Boney James.

A smooth crooner with a flair for scat singing, vocal icon Al Jarreau has released jazz, pop, and R&B records across four decades, winning seven Grammy awards in the process. On "All I Got", Al and producer Paul Brown continue their roll with this glistening mix of smooth jazz, adult contemporary pop, and urban funk.

A musical tribute project co-produced by Chris Walker & Larry Williams.

(Los Angeles, October 2, 2024) In the pantheon of Jazz singers, Al Jarreau stood as a beaming giant of talent, inspiration, and crossover capability. The beloved platinum seller, known the world over for his hits “We’re in This Love Together,” “Mornin’,” and theme from the TV series “Moonlighting,” started along his path of music crafting an inebriating blend of Jazz standards with Pop hits of the day.

Interesting stuff! We've got to admit, we don't know if this material was legitimately recorded and/or released against Al's wishes – but the album's a nice one, perhaps some of the best soul material you'll ever find by Jarreau! The record features Al covering Bill Withers tunes from the early days, and it's got a very similar feel to Withers' best work on Sussex – from which it draws heavily, on songs like "Kissing My Love", "Grandma's Hands", "Use Me", "Lonely Town, Lonely Street", "Lean On Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "You", and "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh". In fact, the arrangements almost seem to be the same as those on the Withers' recordings – with the real difference being Jarreau's vocals, slightly smoother, and a bit more on the jazzy tip.

This is a wonderful collection of great R&B music performed by the best singers and musicians in the business. Every song is produced to the exacting standards Quincy has become famous for in his long career.

Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, film/record producer, satirist, and author. He is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts, original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, and polka medleys of several popular songs, featuring his favored instrument, the accordion. His works have earned him four Grammy Awards and a further eleven nominations, four gold records, and six platinum records in the United States. This Hi-Res collection includes all of his studio albums.