Customer Reviews

Q Soul Bossa Nostra (Dlx)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Say it isn't so!!! I have waited two long years for the release of this CD. I remember reading in JazzIz that Mr Jones was going to do a Brazilian CD of his earlier work. The title was to be called Soul Bossa Nostra. Are y'all kidding? Really? This is it? This is as good as it'll get? Is this all there is? Is there or will there be another CD to redeem this? What happened to Mr 'cutting edge, set the bar high, leave your ego @ the door' Jones? I'm so very, very disappointed. Why oh why did he feel he had to join the Santana, Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert re-treaded, so-dreaded gravy train? For a Grammy? Doesn't he have enough? Even the download is low down, at a 99cent store price. $4.99? For a brand new Quincy Jones project? And he exhumed Barry White for this? Barry and every artist on that original track needs to whupp him with everything they can get their hands on in that secret garden. If he wanted to make a parody of himself, he's succeeded. He can submit this in the category of Comedy CD for that Grammy he's chasing. If the price sinks any lower, he may have to stand in line after the Thanksgiving Turkey for a pardon from the White House. Please don't let him make a video of P.Y.T. using Sara and Bristol Palin as the leads. Let's have a moment of silence for the artist formerly known as Quincy "Q" Jones. Just my 3cents.

Truthfully only 7 of the 15 track's have Quincy Jones as a producer and those track's are:
1. Soul Bossa Nostra (Produced By Naturally 7 & Q)
2. Tommorrow (Produced By Wild Animals & Q)
3. Get The Funk Out Of My Face (Produced By Terrace Martin & Q)
4. Secret Garden (Produced By Jermaine Dupri & Q)
5. Betcha Wouldnt Hurt Me (Produced By Q-Tip & Q)
6. You Put A Move On My Heart (Produced By Scott Storch & Q)
7. Sandford & Son (Produced By Red One & Q)

I like (Tommorrow),(Secret Garden) & (You Put A Move On My Heart) because these track's sound like heavy Q production's or (re)productions if you will and every other track sadly sound's like rushed and unfocused compositions to put it nicely. I highly urge anyone who is intrested in purchasing this cd to not expect too much from these artist, for example quincy & michael jackson's massive hit (P.Y.T) is (AUTOTUNED) to death on the vocal's from T-Pain which completly make's the song annoying as hell which is sad because robin thicke's vocal's are quite good on (P.Y.T) but is drowned out by the autotune massacre, michael jackson would not approve of this remake more like rehash. I can only hope Q would allow for a remix of PYT and with only robin thicke's vocal's in the mix without AUTOTUNE ofcourse, his vocals are that good.

One of my alltime favorite Q work's is the Brothers Johnson track (Strawberry Letter 23) and when I saw (Akon's) name as guest vocalist I was seriously concerned this would be a throw away track and my fears have been answered because yet again this AKON gentleman has sucked all of the soul from the original song to create yet another boring remake, no real instrument's just another boring Pro-Tools software studio affair with oh yeah you guessed it (AUTOTUNE) vocals. Is it just me but does Akon's vocal's sound the same on every single song he preform's on, his sound is so tired and playout to me.

In short expect alot of rap (Snoop Dogg,T-Pain,Talib Kweil,T.I.,Q-Tip) and quite a few producers that most have never heard of and it's a little unnerving as to why Q would approve some of these reworks for a few of his most beloved creations. I love rap music and the rap lyric's are very weak and the beat's are amature to say the least, like the producers are afraid to mess with Q's arrangment's so from a rap music lover's standpoint you will be put off by those productions.

Lastly, and I hate saying this but I bought this cd on day 1 of it's release and only played it 3 times (just to give the cd a chance to grow on me, NOT) and already gave the cd away to a friend for free (which she is not diggin either), I'm a hugh Q fan and I'm so confused he would allow this project to circulate in public. Please Mr. Jones if there's another cd from you sometime in the future please enlist some artist's with funk, soul & rhythm knowledge in there DNA!!!
Besides a few track's this cd is weak yaw!!!

it matters not that I am a huge fan of Q... I have to note that Q (on this project) is the "executive producer". Meaning, he was not at the board or in the booth when this piece of work was created. Most likely, he greenlit the project and gave his approval for release. Ouch! I hope he did so unenthusiastically. However, it should be duly noted his picture is on the cover. But, knowing Q, he was encouraging and nurturing all the way. The musicians and artists who put this album together are to blame/responsible or should take credit for the product created. More than likely, this is the best they could do. And for this current generation of listeners, this is probably good stuff. To my kids, AUTOTUNE IS FRESH! For me, its use means you don't have the chops to carry a tune. Times change. Tastes in music changes. I tell my two sons (both guitarists in their mid 20's) that it's their world and I'm just living in it. After listening to the album though, I realize it was not made for me. It was made for them. I can accept that. But if the future of music sounds like this, I'm crossing the road to the other side. This is a piece of work lacking execution, depth and/or substance. Mike, be glad you didn't have to hear this.

.... The time honored tradition of a collaboration album has been a staple for 30+ years in Quincy Jones' legacy. With each record since the early 70's, he has managed to incorporate styles and textures into his music that people wouldn't necessarily think would work together. The 70's psychadelia of "Mellow Madness" was a precursor to the funk of "Sounds... & Stuff Like That", which morphed itself into the Jazz/Pop/Soul/Funk mash-up of "The Dude". When "Back on the Block" arrived, the same thing happened - new styles, namely rap, had arrived... Quincy embraced it. - I take a break from my background information to note that all of the albums were not critically acclaimed. They won awards, they are masterfully produced, and in some cases more than others - they are classics. - Following "Back on the Block" and it's huge grammy win, was "Q's Jook Joint" which took the sounds of the 40's and threw them together with sounds of then modern times. This was a big critical disappointment, despite selling well and being held up by fans as yet another great one. Say what you want people, he sets trends by following what is "now". For "Q - Soul Bossa Nostra", Jones enlists some of today's biggest talents (and a few newbies) and makes a Quincy Jones album for 2010. As with all the other classics I've mentioned, people will detract from the grand scheme he's trying to play off, and concentrate on the fact that they as listeners aren't necessarily ready to hear their favorite songs covered by younger artists. In 2010, music is 9 times out of 10 heavily produced, with special vocal effects, deep bass, and some studio trickery. It just is how things are done now. Even the stripped down artists of today are guilty of embracing some of these techniques. To fault someone who follows closely trends (Some of which he set many a decade ago), is merely an oversight. As for the album itself, it plays like a wonderful "now" tribute to a mythical, living legend. From the strange jazzy rap of "Ironside" (Which makes me think of Jazz Corner of the World from "BOTB") to the all out club banger "Sanford and Son" (Silly title aside, this one has serious repeatablity) these songs all have a character of their own. They aren't remaking here, they're putting their own spin on some of Quincy's star making records. That isn't to say that this record isn't somewhat flawed - Some of the songs should've been better titled - Especially when you think of how some of these songs are just interpolating a piece of another Quincy song. Also, there are a few missteps in toe as well. BeBe Winans' reading of "Everything Must Change" feels out of place, even though it's pleasant. Akon's reworking of "Strawberry Letter 23" is kind of a disappointment. Where it begins to have promise, it ends up meandering into a repetitive and dry reading. The Wyclef inclusion "Many Rains Ago" should've been shelved. It's too busy, upsetting despite the upbeat melody and throws off a listener expecting something a little more subtle. John Legend's new working of "Tomorrow" is also a humongous oversight. That song is meant for a child's voice. Tevin Campbell's version sets a standard that the cocky Legend can't hold up to. It's just plain bland. The standouts are the ones where you don't expect them to be as good as they end up being. "The Secret Garden" with its 6 guest (even bringing back a posthumous Barry White(!)) is a major highlight. Turning the delicate ballad into a slinky upbeat Atlanta Bass groovy song. The guys are all top notch vocals with Robin Thicke once again shining above all and feeling his inner Michael Jackson. One only wishes that Dupri and Jones gave Tevin Campbell more to do than ad-lib at the end. The music industry needs his honest brilliant vocal prowess again. Speaking of Michael, the tribute paid to him by T-Pain and Thicke really isnt the nightmare people have been saying it is. Come on, people - Are you really shocked that T-Pain uses auto-tune? He's been around since 2006 doing the same thing. This isn't going to stop as this is his niche. So listeners should get over it. He sounds fine without it, but that isn't his persona. Thicke brings his brand of sexy to it and rounds it out beautifully. I find it to be a highlight. Jamie Foxx's "Give me the Night" is well performed, even if the production is the highlight of this particular track. Jennifer Hudson gives a note perfect interpretation of "You Put A Move On My Heart", dare I say blowing Tamia's version out of the water. Side by Side these versions stand on their own as being outstanding and well made, but - The sassy element in Hudson's makes it, for me, the more appealing. Amy Winehouse brings a boozy delivery to It's My Party that's fitting for the times. The rest of the tunes here are well done, and showcase how a well written song can be good no matter how it's done! This album will be a classic in a few years. Misunderstood and already underrated.

I just heard the latest CD from Quincy Jones, and am NOT impressed with most of the remakes. When was the last time Jones produced ANYTHING original & worthwhile ? PLEASE, tell me. At any rate, updating classic songs with today's artists (???) is a tired practice by Jones. 'The Dude' was CLASSIC, 'Back On The Block' was AWESOME & 'Q's Juke Joint' was acceptable, but this latest CD proves that Quincy needs to GIVE IT UP. We should've seen this coming. Personally, I think Quincy was inspired to create this CD during the sessions for 'We Are The World 25', which was another terrible remake! Someone told me that this CD was aimed at the younger crowd, but less face it, the kids aren't going to buy this crap. They'll get a bootleg or illegal download. Quincy.....GIVE IT UP & RETIRE!

What is this garbage? This is not like any Quincy Jones I have ever heard - and I have heard most of his stuff from jazz big bands through Patti Austin. Juxtapose the original Secret Garden with the Secret Garden here to see what I mean.

Quincy Jones is a Name that is responsible for alot of Classic Material and also for being associated with a whose who of the Biggest Name in American Popular Music. Producer and Arranger and the good thing is i remember when a Q logo represented the goods. however this Project feels like a Bad inside of a Tv Show that he was associated with called "Madd Tv". Madd Tv was a Broke version of In Living Color and the reality the case with most of these tracks is that they are a Broke Version of the better Originals. Quincy owns the Publishing on the songs here so he can re arrange and flip them like hot cakes if he elects to and sadly that is what he is doing.

tired Auto tone, the kind of colabs that at best have a hit and miss feel and at worse feel like boring Snoozefest Karoke. as the saying goes it is best to leave good enough alone sometimes for you can never recapture that magic, that time and that place.

nothing really memorable here, some alright stuff, but nothing here that stands out on a whole and the rest is bland, boring and bad and not in a good way at all.

it's a shame because these songs in there orginal light were good to great.gotta leave well enough alone.

Yes two stars for Q. Why? Because an originator should never remake his own material. Quincy Jones must be uninspired to create new compositions. Perhaps, he is an old, rich, fat man bored with nothing to do. This ain't "Back On The Block".
No way does this project come close in comparison to that hit CD.
The fabulously fantastic wizardy of wizard's surprising musical remaking trickery of tricks (yes, tricks)
moment for me was hearing Amy Winehouse after four years since her last studio recording. Only the legendary man of music could get her raggedy drunk and druggy a$$ to croon again. Thanks Mr. Jones for that. Please stay retired. No need to prove anything because you are done!

Sorry, Q, but as a fan of yours for over four decades, I can't relate to these "reworkings." They are pale successors to the original versions, even with an all-star cast of contemporary artists. I suppose in an attempt to garner the younger listener, the producer enlisted the aid of the likes of T-pain, Akon, and Jamie Foxx, to name a few but these versions don't come close to matching the genius of the original recordings, even with the big-name trappings.

Sergio Mendes successfully traveled similar territory in his last three recordings, by managing to incorporate the present without destroying the past.

Q, unfortunately, ruined some true classics in an attempt to latch on to the hip-hop generation, producing a disc that alienates his fan base and probably doesn't do enough to attract younger audiences.

Barry ("The Secret Garden"), Michael ("P.Y.T.") and even Raymond Burr ("Ironside") have to be uttering a heavenly groan to the songs on this album.

Because there is so much unproductive music today, Mr. Jones attempted to bring back some classics that will appeal to the young as well the mature. While some may disagree I like the CD. Until this generation of young musicans can produce some clean music - don't hate what Mr Q is accomplishing that is, turning back the time Good Remixes from Classics.