by Lindsay Planer 　　As intimated by the cover art, this album is a close-up and personal portrait. Although the multi-talented hitmaker had become a living legend within the thriving musical community of his native Crescent City, Allen Toussaint more often than not deferred the spotlight to the vocalists for whom he wrote, produced, and arranged. Released in 1970, Allen Toussaint was only his second LP during a career that (at the time) had already outpaced practically all of his contemporaries. The ten songs on the original LP provided a launching pad for Toussaint in front of the microphone, while likewise being a springboard for the direction that he would take during the ensuing years as a solo act. Providing Toussaint (piano/lead vocals) some sonic support is a combo consisting of Terry Kellman (guitar), Mac Rebennack aka Dr. John (organ/guitar), Eddie Hohner (bass), Freddie Staehle (drums), John Boudreaux (drums), Clyde Kerr (trumpet), and Earl Turbinton (alto sax), plus the dynamic pairing of Merry Clayton and Venetta Fields on backing vocals. One theme that runs throughout all of Toussaint's work -- for others as well as himself -- is the innate undercurrent of bayou rhythms infused within each and every number. These are particularly evident on the instrumental selections "Either," "Louie," and especially "Pickles." The latter also contains supreme substantiation of Toussaint's utterly underrated keyboarding as he effortlessly drifts between a jazzy rag and haunting melodic runs reminiscent of Burt Bacharach. The influences spill over into the vocal-centric sides as "Chokin' Kind" is soppin' with a Memphis or Muscle Shoals sensibility. Conversely, the joyful "Sweet Touch of Love" has a soulful syncopation that plays on the traditional sounds of New Orleans. There are also the artist's updates of his own compositions "Working in the Coal Mine" and "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky" -- which he penned for Lee Dorsey, who obliged by making both R&B hits and significant pop crossovers. More than simple remakes, Toussaint reveals his abilities as a convincing crooner, even giving Bonnie Raitt a run for her money with his sly attitude-laden reading of "What Is Success." Parties interested in Allen Toussaint's pre-Warner Bros. material are encouraged to find the 2007 What Is Success: The Scepter and Bell Recordings anthology, as it boasts a freshly remastered edition of all the tunes mentioned here and no less than three additional rare 45s circa 1968 and 1969 that slightly predate the Allen Toussaint project. [This CD reissue of Allen Toussaint includes the bonus tracks "Number Nine" and "Poor Folks," both of which are instrumentals.]