Search - Quincy Jones :: Back on the Block (Reis)

Still a Classic

Jeanne L. Foster | Williamston,NC,USA | 05/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Such a favorite of mine, that I've played the tape to death (almost literally) & had to replace it with the CD.To quote a line from DIZZY GILLESPIE on one of the tracks,"That's how music is supposed to sound!""

Masterpiece.

Duran Kano | 09/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although it may sound dated now with all its synthesizer brass sections, you have to remember that it was recorded in 1989, and back then the sounds were top of the line.



The fact that Quincy's been able to pull off a COHERENT album with a cast that includes an ASTOUNDING group of talent from various genres is an achievement not rarely (if ever) seen since. I'm surely forgetting someone, but at least: Rappers Ice-T, Melle Mel, Big Daddy Kane...R&B singers Barry White, El DeBarge, Al B Sure, James Ingram, Barry White, Siedah Garrett...Jazz singers Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn...AND jazz legends Miles Davis (!), Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson and Herbie Hancock!



Actually, despite the fact that it won the Grammy for Album Of The Year, Quincy was still criticized for not fully taking advantage of all the potential those star musicians had. Personally, I don't know what they are talking about...like I said above, it's an incredible FEAT as it is.



And besides, the music is SUPERB! Not only putting the star studded cast together, Quincy blends pop, r&b, jazz and hip hop AND has traditional jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald exploring something completely different.



Kudos to you, Mr. Jones, always a personal hero of mine."