Two records mentioned make for interesting parallels. Two completely different genres and styles of both the music and production values; the focus here being the production values.
Quincy Jones’ “Back On The Block” has been one of my “guilty pleasure” records. It showcases the talents of possibly the best pop producer that ever lived. The fact that he was first and foremost a great jazz composer/orchestrator (and trumpet player) was undoubtedly one the things that make him such a great crossover/pop producer. A master at using all that modern studio techniques had to offer to create funky ear-candy that had a lot of musical integrity. Regardless of what one thinks about the music, what he did with the production serves that music to an extraordinarily high degree. Taken on its own terms “BOTB” is a great and fun record which happens to also be a great audiophile showcase; it SOUNDS great.
”Desmond Blue” is also a great record. One of the first things that I posted here. Desmond’s playing is superb as always. IMO, this record’s production values are also extremely high and the use of a string orchestra and woodwinds in beautiful lush arrangement serve the music extremely well. Very tasteful orchestrations that match Desmond’s playing style beautifully to the degree that Desmond reacts to and shapes some of his improvisations around those orchestrations. This interplay can be heard easily. In that sense the orchestrations are essential for this record. Beautiful record. Btw, I don’t believe that the strings were “added”. The record was conveived with the orchestrations and I don’t believe there is a version without strings.
Quincy Jones’ “Back On The Block” has been one of my “guilty pleasure” records. It showcases the talents of possibly the best pop producer that ever lived. The fact that he was first and foremost a great jazz composer/orchestrator (and trumpet player) was undoubtedly one the things that make him such a great crossover/pop producer. A master at using all that modern studio techniques had to offer to create funky ear-candy that had a lot of musical integrity. Regardless of what one thinks about the music, what he did with the production serves that music to an extraordinarily high degree. Taken on its own terms “BOTB” is a great and fun record which happens to also be a great audiophile showcase; it SOUNDS great.
”Desmond Blue” is also a great record. One of the first things that I posted here. Desmond’s playing is superb as always. IMO, this record’s production values are also extremely high and the use of a string orchestra and woodwinds in beautiful lush arrangement serve the music extremely well. Very tasteful orchestrations that match Desmond’s playing style beautifully to the degree that Desmond reacts to and shapes some of his improvisations around those orchestrations. This interplay can be heard easily. In that sense the orchestrations are essential for this record. Beautiful record. Btw, I don’t believe that the strings were “added”. The record was conveived with the orchestrations and I don’t believe there is a version without strings.