L Is For Lover  by Al Jarreau

In September 1986, Al Jarreau releases the eighth studio album of his career. The album L Is For Lover is one of the most "modern" moments in Al Jarreau's career, as it marked his turn to a more hi-tech, urban sound of the '80s. The production was signed by the legendary Nile Rodgers (of Chic), who at that time was "clothing" artists like David Bowie and Madonna with hits.

The recording took place at Skyline Studios in New York. The digital processing and mixing were also done in New York (Atlantic Studios, Masterdisk). The album combines Jarreau's traditional R&B and jazz identity with elements of pop, funk, and electronic. Top musicians such as Hiram Bullock (guitar), Steve Ferrone (drums), and Richard Page (vocals) participated in the album. It is noticeably more dance-oriented and based on synthesizers compared to his previous works. The most well-known tracks are the eponymous L Is For Lover (a cover of Scritti Politti) and Tell Me What I Gotta Do.

Although it is not considered Al Jarreau's greatest commercial success (compared to Breakin' Away), the album L Is For Lover is one of the most "modern" moments in Al Jarreau's career, as it was appreciated for its sonic freshness. In the U.S., it reached No. 30 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums and No. 9 on the Traditional Jazz Albums. In the United Kingdom, the album reached No. 45.