The Essential Quincy Jones Playlist

Timmy Regisford, Mousse T. and (of course) Michael Jackson make appearances in the essential Quincy Jones playlist, compiled by DEL for his Foundations column.

Related: Foundations: Quincy Jones, the Genius

Razzamatazz

(’81; #3 Dance-Disco / #17 R&B charts) – As with many of Q’s ’80s hits, Patti Austin rocked the vocals. Also, Herbie Hancock did the piano work. Really: who couldn’t make it better with a little bit of RAZZAMATAZZ?!

Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me

(’81; #3 Dance-Disco chart) – “If you really cared about anyone else… I betcha wouldn’t hurt me” and I will HURT YOU if you don’t play this! Actually just did this while our esteemed 5 Magazine leader Czarina and I played at my FOUNDATIONS party at WMC ’13 in Miami. Steve Wonder wrote this beautiful classic and actually played the synth on it too.

Stuff Like That

(’78; #1 R&B chart) – When you “Chaka-tize” a song, how can it go wrong!? Khan is smokin’ on vocals along with our FOUNDATIONS artists from a couple of months ago, Ashford & Simpson! Silky smooth yet great dance floor hooks.

Ai No Corrida

(’81; #3 Dance-Disco / #10 R&B / #28 Pop charts) – A cover of a Chas Jankel song with Dune on vocals and Herbie Hancock working the piano keys. The title of the song is taken from the Japanese name Ai no Korida of the 1976 Franco-Japanese film In the Realm of the Senses.

The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)

(’90; #1 R&B chart) – Quincy Jones featuring Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge, & Barry White! A beautiful, soulful song. My favorite remixes are from Jask and a brand new one from Timmy Regisford – I’m teasing you because you ain’t finding them without some nepotism!

I’ll Be Good To You

(’89; #1 Dance-Disco / #1 R&B charts) – Quincy Jones ft Ray Charles & Chaka Khan. A downtempo monster and a case where both the vocal version and the instrumental were both hits.

Baby, Come To Me

(’82; #9 R&B chart) – Patti Austin w/ James Ingram – Another example of collaboration as this gem was written by Rod Temperton and has Michael McDonald on background vocals. It was a minor hit until it was used on the TV soap, General Hospital, then it soared. Just played the Timmy Regisford remix at WMC.

Stomp

(’96; #1 Dance-Disco chart) – Quincy Jones ft cast of Stomp. Didn’t see the movie but love the live performance. An example where the vocal and instrumental versions were hits for Q! Tons of remixes, I liked the Mousse T. “Ultimate Stomper” version back in the day.

Just Once

(’81; #11 R&B chart) – Now, I don’t want you all to think that I’m getting too soft when I list these slow jams in the discography. Rather, they illustrate the actual foundations of the dancefloor when slow (or sometimes known as “sleaze”) would be played early or late in the night.

One Hundred Ways

(’81; #32 R&B chart) – Quincy Jones ft James Ingram. You can find AT LEAST a hundred ways to use this as a love song, with depth, beauty, and musical delight. James Ingram is a flat-out crooner!

Tell Me a Bedtime Story

(’78) – Jazzy and definitely influenced by the great Herbie Hancock. A few beautiful, soaring chants are all this mid-tempo, oft-overlooked gem needs to delight.

Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)

(’78) – Beautiful cover of Stevie Wonder’s classic featuring, once again, the vocal stylings of Ms. Austin. Check the almost choral vocals with the male background singers.

And here a few other notable dance hits he produced: Michael Jackson (Bad, Beat It, Billie Jean, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, Off the Wall, Rock With You); George Benson (Give Me the Night); The Brothers Johnson (I’ll Be Good To You, Stomp, Strawberry Letter 23)… too many more to list!

Related: Foundations: Quincy Jones, the Genius

Essentials: Foundations is a series published in print in each issue of 5 Magazine. This profile appeared in the April 2013 issue, which can be ordered here.