Released 50 years ago
I Heard That!!
Quincy Jones · 1976
75 min · 16 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of funk, jazz, and soul that showcases Quincy Jones' expansive musical vision and innovative arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Heard That!! Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Superstition — This track stands out for its infectious rhythm and iconic clavinet riff, showcasing Jones' knack for creating enduring funk classics.
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There’s a Train Leavin’ — Blending jazz with soulful vocals, this track highlights Jones' ability to craft emotionally charged music that resonates with listeners.
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Body Heat — With its sultry grooves and lush arrangements, this track epitomizes the sensual vibe of the album while demonstrating Jones' mastery of orchestration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends genres effectively but lacks a strong cohesive narrative across its length.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Superstition' incorporate prominent brass arrangements and syncopated rhythms that drive the funk elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- infectious grooves for dancing
- for lively gatherings
- engaging rhythms for casual listening
- vibrant soundscapes for exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, single tracks
- seek instant gratification and simplicity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Quincy Jones' reputation and showcased his genre-blending ability.
- Themes
- soulful grooves· 1970s funk revival· jazz-infused sensuality
- Career context
- Released in 1976, I Heard That!! is Quincy Jones' follow-up to the critically acclaimed album Mellow Madness. At this point in his career, Jones was solidifying his reputation as a versatile producer and composer, blending various genres while also preparing for his future successes in film scoring and pop production.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Stevie Wonder· George Benson
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 I Heard That!! Start here 2:14
- 2 Things Could Be Worse for Me 4:28
- 3 What Good Is a Song? 7:31
- 4 You Have to Do It Yourself 3:16
- 5 There’s a Train Leavin’ 4:15
- 6 Midnight Soul Patrol 5:14
- 7 Brown Soft Shoe 4:45
- 8 Superstition 3:54
Disc 2
- 1 Summer in the City 4:23
- 2 Is It Love That We’re Missin’ 3:56
- 3 Body Heat 4:04
- 4 If I Ever Lose This Heaven 3:37
- 5 Killer Joe 4:10
- 6 Gula Matari 6:57
- 7 Theme From “The Anderson Tapes” 5:08
- 8 Walking in Space 7:21
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Merges funk and jazz with innovative arrangements and a vibrant groove, similar to Jones' style.
Songs in the Key of Life
Stevie Wonder
Combines soulful grooves and rich instrumentation with a 1970s funk vibe, echoing Jones’ musical vision.
Breezin'
George Benson
Features smooth jazz-infused funk and sensual melodies that resonate with the vibe of Jones' album.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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