Walking in Space Quincy Jones Artist

The protean {|Quincy Jones|} returned to the recording studio as a leader after a long stretch in Hollywood with this triumphantly contemporary big band album. He re-established himself firmly with his big band jazz base while casting a keen eye on t... Read more

The protean {|Quincy Jones|} returned to the recording studio as a leader after a long stretch in Hollywood with this triumphantly contemporary big band album. He re-established himself firmly with his big band jazz base while casting a keen eye on the pop scene and the world of electric instruments (even {|Ray Brown|} is caught playing superb electric bass here). The diplomat also unveils his uncanny ability to attract some of the biggest names in jazz as sidemen ({|Freddie Hubbard|}, {|Roland Kirk|}, {|Hubert Laws|}, {|J.J. Johnson|}, {|Kai Winding|}, etc.), a quality that will be put to use again and again in the following decades. For jazz buffs, the long, dramatic title track from the then-raging musical {|Hair|} is the highlight; {|Hubbard|} positively sizzles on muted trumpet, and the brash {|Kirk|} blasts through the grooving rhythm section under heavy reverb. You also get {|Jones|}' classic, swaggering arrangement of {|Benny Golson|}'s {|Killer Joe|} -- practically the definitive version -- and a rendition of {|Edwin Hawkins|}' freak hit {|Oh Happy Day|} that bursts with wit and sheer joy. This is one of the great peaks of {|Creed Taylor|}'s {|A&M|} period, and it still sounds spectacular today. ~ Richard S. Ginell Less