JARREAU: SLUMMING

“L IS FOR LOVER.” Al Jarreau. Warner Bros. Jarreau is slumming again, with the usual tepid results. Basically a jazz singer, he continues to dabble in pop, toning down his unique, far-ranging style to enhance its mass appeal. As usual, that vocal style seems way too classy for the mostly low-grade pop material.

Parts of some of songs on this album are excellent, but all have at least one glaring flaw. For instance, “Tell Me What” has a scintillating rhythmic groove but the vocals are just soulless pop. The title song is almost outstanding, with a great groove and vocal arrangement. Unfortunately, the lyrics are idiotic.

Even the jazzier tunes, such as “Says,” are infested with flaccid pop. There’s nothing wrong with mixing jazz and pop if it’s done with some imagination. But that’s definitely not the way Jarreau and company do it.