Customer Reviews

Jump to It

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

After fillin' the sucssesfull '60 & '70 years with soul Aretha entered the early '80's with a new dimension. "Jump to it" is the top, a sample of Funk & Soul together with upcoming artists like Luther Vandross (also produced this album), Fonzi Thornton (The Leader '83), Marcus Miller, The Brothers Johnson (Louis Johnson plays bass on "Just my Daydream"), Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops, duet on "I Wanna make it up to you") and George Duke (Shine on '82). A unique combination, as these artists including Aretha know how to deal with it. From delicious uptempo's to silky soul ballads, the whole album is wonderful. Nevertheless, all these productions from the '80's set the pace. Meant what this decade was all about, you can find it also back in these songs. Eventhough this album is nearly 20 years old, the music can last forever. Wondering why there aren't more great artists of this era, maybe because there very rare. And I think Aretha is.... But on top of it all, listen to it, buy the album. You won't regret it. At least I didn't.

Another reviewer referred to Aretha's "mellow voice" on this album, and I have to admit that is the Aretha I have come to prefer. It's hard to ignore the fact that in recent years (and there were signs even in the 80s) that vocal wear and tear (and those Kool cigarettes too, I guess) had taken their toll. I thought such 80s tracks as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" suffered from vocal overkill--and vocal strain. So I was surprised to pick up on this 80s release and discover that, when she chose to keep in "mellow," she was in excellent voice.

There are doubtless Aretha fans who don't like to see the "Queen of Soul" in the "Disco Diva" mold we find her in on several tracks here, including the title tune. But Aretha sounds so relaxed and playful on these tracks, scatting away on "Jump to It" like she's Ella reincarnate, it's hard not to fall in love with them. The urban soul stylings of the slower tempo numbers are also pretty yummy, although in terms of tunefulness, there's nothing quite as compelling as, say, "Until You Come Back to Me," to cite an example of a mellow track from an earlier era.

Still it's great to see that she was in good voice in the 80s after all. That's the thing about singers--you should never writer them off because of one or two performances that you thought were weak. They nearly always come back to surprise you. And Aretha Franklin has always been a singer who is full of surprises.

Another reviewer referred to Aretha's "mellow voice" on this album, and I have to admit that is the Aretha I have come to prefer. It's hard to ignore the fact that in recent years (and there were signs even in the 80s) that vocal wear and tear (and those Kool cigarettes too, I guess) had taken their toll. I thought such 80s tracks as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" suffered from vocal overkill--and vocal strain. So I was surprised to pick up on this 80s release and discover that, when she chose to keep in "mellow," she was in excellent voice.

There are doubtless Aretha fans who don't like to see the "Queen of Soul" in the "Disco Diva" mold we find her in on several tracks here, including the title tune. But Aretha sounds so relaxed and playful on these tracks, scatting away on "Jump to It" like she's Ella reincarnate, it's hard not to fall in love with them. The urban soul stylings of the slower tempo numbers are also pretty yummy, although in terms of tunefulness, there's nothing quite as compelling as, say, "Until You Come Back to Me," to cite an example of a mellow track from an earlier era.

Still it's great to see that she was in good voice in the 80s after all. That's the thing about singers--you should never writer them off because of one or two performances that you thought were weak. They nearly always come back to surprise you. And Aretha Franklin has always been a singer who is full of surprises.

This was Aretha Franklin's best album of the decade. Superbly produced by Luther Vandross himself, this was 1980s soul at its most sophisticated. The title track was a #1 R&B hit but the other seven songs are equally good. It certainly did not sell as well as 1985's "Who's Zoomin' Who?" but it was a much stronger album(artistically).

While maintaining her success with the music loving public in the early 80's the title song was really the start of her huge crossover comeback. Rather than go with a more obviously polished crossover approch Aretha enlists the talents of producer/songwriter/vocalist Luther Vandross for a song and an album very firmly in the groove. The title cut is presented here in it's full 6:40 version and during the final days of what I call the "disco freeze out" it seemed more than fitting that Aretha and Luther would use the rhythms and style of funk to make her comeback,especially to the pop world still throwing this music into the rubbish pile with some of the disco records they were senselessly hating. Whatever the case may be Aretha made her point: good rhythms and good music last forever no matter what public opinion said OR whether the tempo is up or down. Rather than rely on only ballads or only grooves on this album songs such as "Love Me Right","If She Don't Want Your Lovin'","This Love Is For Real" and the amazing closer "Just My Daydream" blend intricate,soulful melodies and harmonic ideas with tempos and rhythms building up and down for what basically ammounts to a somewhat slicker early 80's update of the sound The Queen Of Soul had made famous on her legendary Atlantic recordings in the late 60's/early 70's. Luther's vocals interweaving in and around and Marcus Miller's "opinionated bass" sound as I'll call it here really had a fire and a heavy breathing passion to the music and the intelligently emotional lyrics that Luther himself even sometimes forgot about on some of his softer in tone solo recordings of this era. Of course the full blooded funk returns on a version of the Isley Brother's "It's Your Thing". In addition to the locked down groove Aretha showcases,as she does on all these songs her mastery of the connective vocal thread between jazz and soul:she scats,she scales,she screams with the likes of Ella Fitzgarald AND Dinah Washington and has always been an underrated link between that key era in the development of soul itself. Aretha's comeback would only get better as the decade neared it's middle but this is the album that got the party started for her during this decade and reinvented her as a contemporary artist who was able to keep her homegrown talents fully intact.

In 1982, Ms Franklin hooked up with Mr Soul himself, Luther Vandross, for a 2 album deal, the first instalment being "Jump to It". With legendary bassist Marcus Miller providing the rhythm section, Luther's Midas touch as producer, and Aretha on form vocally, the result was an awesome album that has stood the test of time.

The album kicks off with the catchy title track - just listen to those vocals! It doesn't get better than this. Aretha sounds alive!

Luther's vocal intro to "Love Me Right" (a low-down, funky ditty) is great and it blends well with Aretha's. The middle tracks are easy, but the outstanding cut has to be "It's Your Thing". Can Marcus play a sweet bass line or what? Listening to Aretha here puts chills down my spine - the track opens and closes in spectacular style.

There's not a duff track here, just 8 gems. This is an entertaining album and proof that the Queen of Soul hadn't lost her touch.

After 20 years, this album is still a smoldering Aretha favorite ! The sound is pure urban soul with a hot splash of dance and r&b slickly produced by Luther Vandross (King of Soul ?). Between her followup Who's Zoomin Who (which had more of a pop element) and Jump to It, I prefer this one. From the opening jam of a title track to the beautifully lush suite of My Daydream, there is not a single miss or throw away track. Aretha's voice is strong yet soothing without going over or under! For the younger generation or crowd wanting to know what they missed years ago from Aretha during the early 80's...well, here it is folks !

This is the greatest Aretha album of the 1980s. She is so cool throughout this wonderful set that she leaves you hot: serious. What I cannot understand is why it isn't in the top ten Aretha albums because there are two great things about it.

One, Luther Vandross who so admired her, he produced the album, and I mean supurbly! Secondly, Aretha is in perfect voice with the best set of songs she's ever placed on one album in the 1980s.
Why is this on import because here in London it's imported from the States so what's going on?

If the title track doesn't warm you up, call a doctor, you're not well. Later on there is the greatest redition of the Isley's IT'S YOUR THING, that is given the full Aretha sassiness, and that is a WholeLot-A-Plenty. What is even better is the tempo and rhythm of the songs: they're not aiming for the Club Floor, this is for a funky Bar, your car or better still for your House Party so you can see your folks shake it down because the rhythm is so groovy. If you want love in your arms with a smile, buy this CD. If you've got soul I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU will tell your love (almost) everything that is in your heart.

This is Aretha produced by one of her greatest fan's Luther Vandross who never resorts to studio production tricks. He places a jazz soul production next to her with first class songs and allows her to find her own way and give it to us with the kind of confident rough and tender silky beauty that is still untouched by any other vocal stylist in this era.

When Aretha sings THIS IS FOR REAL and JUST MY DAYDREAM; as she is right now in my house: tell you people... she just 'loves all the hurt away'. This album is Diamond 100% A-class soulful truth.
You don't know what you are missing if you do not buy this.

In short if you like your star singer to open her soul and confess without 'showboating' because she knows where to take the song emotionally and technically listen to how Arretha handles YOUR LOVE with a O-So jazzy groove right under each of the productions accompany her, JUMP TO IT and treat yourself to Aretha at her best in the 1980s. It is so good it has not dated.

This album is produced by Luther Vandross and is a polished but soulful collection of R&B/jazz cuts, spiced up by Aretha's 80's voice.

By this time, countless Kool cigarettes and experience exchanged some of her upper register for more low range. It works to great effect on this album. The obvious hit "Jump To It" is a classic. But you'll love Smokey Robinson's "Just My Daydream" as well as her duet with Levi Stubbs on "Wanna Make It Up To You."

"If She Don't Want Your Lovin'" has Aretha reunited with former Sweet Inspiration Cissy Houston (Whitney's mom) and Aretha even chooses to give us a few squalls.

Jump To It is a great mellow and quiet Aretha album - yet soulful in every way. Aretha may be known for hollering but this set proves that her interpretive and more subtle musical talents go far beyond that.

Following 'Aretha' & 'Love All The Hurt Away' (1980 & 1981), Arista released the Luther Vandross-produced 'Jump To It' in 1982, with the title track all over the airwaves! Whatever you heard about this CD is true, and you owe it to yourself to add a copy to your collection. No SERIOUS Aretha collection would be complete without 'Jump To It'. Besides the title track, other highlights include 'Love Me Right', 'If She Don't Want Your Lovin', 'This Is For Real', and the duet 'I Wanna Make It Up To You' (featuring Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops). This CD THAT GOOD, and I decided to remaster my original 'Jump To It' CD, and add it's 1983 follow-up ('Get It Right') onto the disc. Having BOTH 'Jump To It' & 'Get It Right' on the SAME CD is AWESOME, and I can't believe Arista hasn't done this already (W.T.F.???). Oh well...Que Sera Sera!!!
Peace, SD
(of 'Chaka's World')