Singer
Al Jarreau's double album,
Look to the Rainbow, is easily the most jazz-oriented of all of his Warner Bros. recordings. Cut shortly before
Jarreau permanently switched to a more mundane version of R&B, these performances feature him as a brilliant scat singer (able to emulate practically any instrument) and a superior ballad interpreter. Joined by vibraphonist
Lynn Blessing, keyboardist
Tom Canning, bassist
Abe Laboriel, and drummer
Joe Correro,
Jarreau is in top form on such numbers as "Better Than Anything," "Look to the Rainbow" and "Take Five." Unfortunately,
Al Jarreau essentially started on top, artistically speaking, and has since been intent on emphasizing potential commercial appeal over any possible innovations or chance-taking. ~ Scott Yanow