Accentuate the Positive

• Artist: Al Jarreau
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 03, 2004
• Genre: Vocal Music

Review

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. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cold Duck	Al Jarreau, Eddie Harris	Al Jarreau	(3:46)
The Nearness of You	Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington	Al Jarreau	(3:44)
I'm Beginning to See the Light (Lyrics)	Johnny Hodges, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Don George	Al Jarreau	(4:05)
My Foolish Heart	Ned Washington, Victor Young	Al Jarreau	(5:33)
Midnight Sun	Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke, Johnny Mercer	Al Jarreau	(6:01)
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive	Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer	Al Jarreau	(4:03)
Betty Bebop's Song (Lyrics)	Al Jarreau, Freddie Ravel	Al Jarreau	(4:17)
Waltz for Debby	Bill Evans, Gene Lees	Al Jarreau	(4:44)
Groovin' High	Al Jarreau, Dizzy Gillespie	Al Jarreau	(4:11)
Lotus (Lyrics)	Al Jarreau, Don Grolnick	Al Jarreau	(5:11)
Scootcha-Booty (Lyrics)	Al Jarreau, Russell Ferrante	Al Jarreau	(4:25)

Credits

David Carpenter (Bass), Bill Darlington (Executive Producer), Al Jarreau (Vocals), Mark Simmons (Drums), Theodora Kuslan (Release Coordinator), Russell Ferrante (Piano), Robert Hadley (Mastering), Larry Willis (Keyboards), Tommy LiPuma (Audio Production), Larry Goldings (Organ (Hammond)), Tommy LiPuma (Producer), Christian McBride (Bass), Steve Genewick (Assistant Engineer), Larry E. Williams (Keyboards), Al Schmitt (Mixing), Hollis King (Art Direction), Keith Anderson (Sax (Tenor)), Larry E. Williams (Arranger), Rika Ichiki (Design), Al Schmitt (Engineer), Al Schmitt (Audio Engineer), Shari Sutcliffe (Project Coordinator), Anthony Wilson (Guitar), Larry Williams (Keyboards), Kelly Pratt (Release Coordinator), Larry Goldings (Hammond B3), Peter Erskine (Drums), Tollak Ollestad (Harmonica), Rocky Schenck (Photography), Larry Willis (Arranger), Luis Conte (Percussion), Pauline Terry (Groomer), Susan Jarreeau (Wardrobe), Doug Sax (Mastering)

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