Quincy Jones - The Dude (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1981
- 9 tracks
- 41 min
- soul jazz
The DudeCheapest atstore.acousticsounds.com
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3.9
Average of 29 reviews
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I'll go against the grain here and say I genuinely like how this sounds. It's got a distinct vibe compared to my original pressing, but the vinyl is impressively quiet and the mastering still packs a punch with its fullness and dynamics. It's a tad more restrained, but it doesn't take away from the album at all. I'm happy I grabbed this one—it's certainly an upgrade from my first copy.
This pressing is fantastic, saving me a few clicks here and there! The silence between tracks is spot on, and the dynamics are impressive. The remastering seems to have been handled with great care and admiration for Q. I'm really digging The Dude and Velas on this album, but it's Betcha' Wouldn't Hurt Me that I can't stop playing—it's the best thing Quincy's ever created, in my book!
I'm curious how a US press would stack up, but on its own, it's an excellent sounding version that truly showcases the superb production of the music, from recording to mixing and mastering. The soundstage and separation are fantastic. The bass hits hard and the highs are smooth. It could potentially benefit from a bit more dynamic improvement, but not much unless compared to a 2LP 45RPM set. Edit: I think this uses the US cut plates, so the sound is likely the same. Equipment Used: Rega RP1 with Paratrace tipped Nagaoka MP-200C Cyrus 2 Amplifier System Fidelity SF-3050 Tower Speakers Custom made HQ Speaker Cables
Groovy and silky with delightful intertwining liquid soul and jazz nuances, resulting in a highly danceable disco-infused outcome. Which, of course, makes perfect sense in 1981. On the opening track, "Ai No Corrida", there are already components that seem poised to seamlessly integrate into QJ's collaboration with Michael Jackson on "Thriller", including peculiar textured percussion, sharper-edged rock elements, and near-progressive aspects that create a spacious atmosphere at times. "The Dude" is a standout (Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest would later sample James Ingram's "The Dude" lyric "inflation in the nation don't bother me" into "After Hours" on Quest's debut album, but he flips the lyric to express concern.) The third track is a cheesy piano ballad titled "Just Once" featuring James Ingram on lead vocals. The chorus is grand in a distinctly 80s, overproduced manner. It's not without appeal, it's just that the charm is mostly buried under the gloss and overwhelmingly saccharine sincerity. Moving on, "Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me" is an enchanting Stevie Wonder-penned and -arranged piece, with lovely guitar rhythms and interlocking funky bass and synth patterns, innovative chord progressions that still delight. Kicking off side 2, "Somethin' Special" playfully explores soul-jazz before transitioning into a disco-driven chorus. So much intricate layering of rhythmic elements, keys, and horns. "Razzmatazz" feels much more clearly designed for the dancefloor, with encouraging vocals, an insistently swift beat, and a sequence of pleasant lifts and solos, none overstaying their welcome. Again, there are elements here that feel like they'd resurface in new combinations under Michael Jackson's most popular early 80s work. Curiously, none of these songs are particularly long. "One Hundred Ways" revisits the ballad theme, but this time it's infused with more swagger and playful emotional depth. This one feels like it genuinely earns the emotions it's expressing, it's more thoughtfully arranged and Ingram's vocals shine here rather than overwhelming the song structure. This one breathes and persuades, then concludes before I'm even slightly tired of it. "Velas" is a wonderfully jazzy, warm instrumental with that soulful harmonica so cherished in early 80s soul-jazz pop. It feels like a soundtrack to a warm romantic night outside in a movie with precisely the type of plot where nothing truly terrible can ever happen. Which is amusing to consider in the anxiety-driven world that is 2017. The final song on the album, "Turn On The Action", is a pleasant enough disco workout with a sort of dialogue between funky bass and lead vocals atop a bed of soft handclaps and gently eager hi hat.
Stunningly gorgeous, full yet crisp audio. I'd strongly suggest it — truly worth every penny. Before this, I owned an original copy with tons of surface hiss and clearly worse dynamics.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
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| Aug 29, 2025 | $24.98 | €29.98 |
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