Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
Quincy Jones · 1978
35 min · 7 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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Stuff Like That Start here — This track stands out with its infectious groove and sophisticated arrangement, embodying the album's spirit and showcasing Jones' ability to blend various musical styles seamlessly.
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Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) — A poignant cover that highlights emotional depth through lush instrumentation and heartfelt vocal delivery, illustrating Jones' knack for thematic storytelling in music.
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Tell Me a Bedtime Story — This track captures a dreamy atmosphere with its smooth melodies and intricate harmonies, reflecting the album's overall innovative spirit and musical complexity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases innovative arrangements and a vibrant mix of genres, making it a notable work in Quincy Jones' discography.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, danceable groove in 'Stuff Like That,' which sets a high-energy tone for the first half.
- Tracks feature intricate arrangements with layered instrumentation, blending brass, strings, and rhythm sections seamlessly.
- Several songs incorporate extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation and showcase the musicianship of the ensemble.
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- late-night contemplative moods
- vibrant, reflective listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Quincy Jones' reputation in the late 70s with its hit single.
- Themes
- funky jazz fusion· dreamy soundscapes· sophisticated arrangements
- Career context
- By the time 'Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!' was released in 1978, Quincy Jones was already a prominent figure in music, having produced Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall' just a year later. This album came during a period of artistic exploration for Jones, following his successful production work and film scoring that established him as a versatile force in the industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Stevie Wonder· George Benson
Tracklist
- 1 Stuff Like That Start here 6:18
- 2 I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning 3:33
- 3 Love, I Never Had It So Good 5:15
- 4 Tell Me a Bedtime Story 6:47
- 5 Love Me by Name 4:12
- 6 Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) 5:28
- 7 Takin' It to the Streets 4:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Merges funky jazz fusion with innovative arrangements and an exploratory spirit.
Songs in the Key of Life
Stevie Wonder
Blends soulful melodies with complex arrangements, reflecting a vibrant musical vision.
Breezin'
George Benson
Combines smooth jazz guitar with funky grooves and lush, dreamy soundscapes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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