Shut Out is the debut album by American actor, singer and songwriter Paul Jabara.
The album which was released on the Casablanca Records label in 1977 includes the singles "Shut Out" (a duet with Donna Summer), "Dance" and "Slow Dancing". The original LP was pressed on red vinyl.
Shut Out has yet to be re-released on CD.
Singles "Yankee Doodle Dandy" was released as a single with "Sun In Your Smile" as its b-side (A&M Records, catalog no. 1810-S). Cash Box described the song as a "fascinating arrangement" of the standard, praising Jabara's "extremely funky arrangement" and noting that the song had "a real good shot at the pop and disco market", adding that it possessed "substance" unlike "standard Bicentennial fare". "Shut Out" was released as the next single, the mentioned magazine described the song as a "disco fairy tale" and an "upbeat tune", highlighting Donna Summer's guest appearance on the track. The cut "Shut Out/Heaven Is A Disco/Dance" peaked at #31 on Billboard'''s Dance Music/Club Play Singles in 1977.
Critical receptionBillboard described the album as "a disco product produced with Munich-like precision" and noted that the singer often approached disco themes with "near satirical humor". Cash Box wrote that the tracks combines "disco-flavored and soft melodic tunes", praising Jabara's "unusual commerciality" and highlighting appearances and influences from Donna Summer, as well as vocal styles reminiscent of Neil Sedaka and Smokey Robinson. Record World described it as "one of the most entertaining albums of the season", highlighting its "big, brassy, all-out production", "pop disco with Broadway show overtones", and praising Donna Summer's guest appearance as "a highlight", while noting that the production "swirls and soars non-stop". The Walrus!'' described it as "totally pop", noting that its first side is focused on "white disco (unfunky)" while the second is "oriented toward songs", and highlighting the album's "big production".
Track listing
Credits Credits adapted from the LP back cover (Casablanca, catalog no. NBLP 7055)
Recorded at The Record Plant, Los Angeles, Media Sound, New York and The Hit Factory, New York Executive producers: Marc Paul Simon and Paul Jabara Mastered by Allen Zentz Mastering Photography: Michael Childers Art Direction: Phyllis Chotin and Marc Paul Simon Design: Stephen Lumel/Gribbitt!
Producers Arthur G. Wright & Marc Paul Simon ("Shut Out/Heaven Is A Disco") Ron Dante ("Dance", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Hungry For Love", "Sun In Your Smile", "It All Comes Back") Stan Vincent ("Slow Dancing" & "Smile")
Arrangers Arthur G. Wright ("Shut Out/Heaven Is A Disco") Paul Shaffer ("Dance", "Hungry For Love", "Sun In Your Smile" & "It All Comes Back") Stan Vincent ("Slow Dancing" & "Smile") Bob Esty ("Yankee Doodle Dandy")
Engineers Deni King ("Shut Out/Heaven Is A Disco") Bill Radice ("Slow Dancing" & "Smile") Larry Forkner ("Yankee Doodle Dandy")
Re-mix Engineers: Larry Emerine ("Dance") Deni King ("Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Hungry For Love", "Smile", "Sun In Your Smile" & "It All Comes Back")
"Phil Jamtaas, assistant engineer on "Shut Out/Heaven Is A Disco" "Slow Dancing" & "Smile" scored by Tony Davilio
Charts +Weekly chart performance for Shut OutChart (1978)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)55
References