''Uptown'' is an album by the American R&B group the Neville Brothers, released in 1987. The album's title is an homage to the New Orleans neighborhood in which the Nevilles grew up. The group supported the album by touring with Santana. The album peaked at No. 155 on the ''Billboard'' 200.

Production

After four commercially unsuccessful albums, the Nevilles brought in outside writers, producers, and musicians, including

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, and Clive Langer. The album was overseen by Jim Gaines, then best known as Huey Lewis's producer, who agreed to executive produce only if he was allowed to make a "non-traditional" New Orleans album. ''Uptown'' was recorded in

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. "Midnight Key" was cowritten by

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Critical reception

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'' wrote: "By stripping them of all but the most subtle New Orleansisms, the Nevilles sound like Journey. Or Rick Springfield. Or instant mashed potatoes."

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thought that "between adult themes, solidly insinuating tunes, uncommonly grizzled vocals, and faint indigenous lilt, what we have here is a pretty damn good ontemporary Hit Radioalbum." ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...

'' considered that "the long-term pleasures come from Art Neville's rock steady keyboards and growling voice." '' USA Today'' thought that "the undistinquished playing offers little of the funky fire that has made the Nevilles New Orleans' top rhythm band." The ''

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'' opined that "at best, this slick production evokes vintage Tower of Power with a Southern accent; at worst, it's as bland as the made-for-radio barroom-rock 'n' soul of Huey Lewis." AllMusic wrote that the album contains the group's "usual tight playing and exuberant collective vocals." '' The Rolling Stone Album Guide'' panned the use of "sequencers and electronic percussion."

Track listing

References

{{Authority control The Neville Brothers albums 1987 albums EMI America Records albums