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Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
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Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
Studio album by
Quincy Jones
Released1978
Recorded1978
Cherokee Recording Studios, L.A., Westlake II, L.A. and A&R Recording, N.Y.; Jazz Violins on "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" at Sound Ideas, N.Y
GenreJazz, Disco
Length35:48
LabelA&M
ProducerQuincy Jones
Quincy Jones chronology
Roots
(1977) 		Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
(1978) 		The Dude
(1981)
Singles from Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!
  1. "Stuff Like That"
    Released: June 1978
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record GuideStarStar[2]

Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! is a 1978 studio album by Quincy Jones.[3]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Stuff Like That" (Quincy Jones, Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, Ralph MacDonald) – 6:17
  2. "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" (Jones, Tom Bahler, MacDonald) – 3:31
  3. "Love, I Never Had It So Good" (Jones, Bahler, Patti Austin, Tee) – 5:14
  4. "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" (Herbie Hancock) – 6:46
  5. "Love Me by Name" (Lesley Gore, Ellen Weston) – 4:10
    • Vocalist: Patti Austin
    • Keyboards: Herbie Hancock
    • Guitar: Eric Gale
  6. "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" (Stevie Wonder) – 5:26
    • Vocalist: Patti Austin
    • Flute solos: Hubert Laws
    • Electric piano solo: Herbie Hancock
    • Lyricon solo: Tom Scott
  7. "Takin' It to the Streets" (Michael McDonald) – 4:24
    • Vocalists: Luther Vandross and Gwen Guthrie
    • Tenor sax solo: Michael Brecker

Personnel

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[4] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! is a studio album by American record producer, composer, and musician Quincy Jones, released in 1978 by A&M Records. The album incorporates elements of jazz, funk, soul, and disco, showcasing Jones's signature blend of genres during the late 1970s. It features seven tracks, including the lead single "Stuff Like That," which highlights guest appearances by Ashford & Simpson and Chaka Khan. Other notable collaborations include Luther Vandross and Patti Austin on the ballad "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning," marking one of Vandross's early major recording credits. The album was recorded at studios in New York and , including and Westlake Audio, with contributions from prominent session musicians such as keyboardist , guitarist , and saxophonist Tom Scott. Tracks like "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" and a cover of "Takin' It to the Streets" by further exemplify its fusion of and crossover influences. Running approximately 36 minutes, Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! reflects Jones's role in bridging traditions with contemporary and sounds, contributing to his prolific output in the era.

Background and Recording

Development and Conception

Following the critical and commercial success of the soundtrack in 1977, shifted focus to a solo album that embraced a more commercial, pop-oriented sound, aligning with the burgeoning era of the late . Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! represented Jones' adaptation to the era's rhythmic and dance-driven trends, blending his established sensibilities with -infused grooves to appeal to a wider audience. The project originated through key collaborations with prominent songwriters, notably Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who co-wrote the title track "Stuff Like That" alongside Jones, , , , and . This track, featuring vocals from and , exemplified Jones' strategy of assembling high-profile talent to enhance commercial viability. Released on —where Jones had built his solo catalog since 1969—the album prioritized star-studded guest appearances to broaden its reach beyond audiences. Song selections underscored this pop-leaning approach, including a cover of The Doobie Brothers' 1976 hit "Takin' It to the Streets," reinterpreted with vocals by and , and an adaptation of Stevie Wonder's 1972 track "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)," featuring on lead vocals. These choices highlighted Jones' intent to fuse contemporary covers with original material, capturing the eclectic spirit of late-1970s music while leveraging familiar hits for crossover success.

Recording Process

The recording of Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! took place primarily in 1978 across multiple studios in and New York, reflecting ' collaborative approach to capturing live ensemble performances during the height of the disco-jazz fusion trend. Principal sessions occurred at Cherokee Recording Studios and Westlake Audio in , with additional work at in New York; jazz violin overdubs for the track "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" were handled separately at in New York. These locations allowed for the integration of diverse musical elements, including live horn and string sections that added organic texture to the album's rhythmic foundations. The project spanned several months in , organized into distinct sessions focused on tracks, horns, strings, and vocals to facilitate precise layering and overdubs. This modular process enabled guest vocalists, such as on "Stuff Like That," to contribute via targeted overdubs, enhancing the album's dynamic vocal interplay without disrupting core ensemble recordings. Production emphasized techniques, blending warm tape-based captures with the pulsating rhythms that defined the era, resulting in a polished yet vibrant sound. Bruce Swedien served as the primary recording and mixing engineer, overseeing the technical execution with his signature attention to sonic clarity; mixing was completed at Westlake Audio. Assistant engineers, including Niels Erik Lund and Ollie Cotton, supported the sessions, while Jim McCurdy handled the specific violin overdubs at . Mastering was performed by at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood, ensuring the final product retained the album's energetic balance across formats. Swedien's involvement, documented in the on the Acousonic Recording Process, underscored the meticulous engineering that earned the album a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical in 1979.

Content and Production

Track Listing

The original 1978 vinyl release of Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! features seven tracks divided across two sides, with Side A comprising the first three tracks and Side B the remaining four. The album's total runtime is 35:45. Tracks 4, 6, and 7 are covers or adaptations of songs originally by , , and (written by Michael McDonald), respectively.
No.TitleWriter(s)LengthFeaturing
1"Stuff Like That", Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, , , , 6:15,
2"I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning", , 3:34,
3"Love, I Never Had It So Good", , , 5:14Charles May,
4"Tell Me a Bedtime Story"6:45
5"Love Me by Name", 4:08
6"Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)"5:25, with background vocals by and
7"Takin' It to the Streets"Michael McDonald4:24, with background vocals by and

Personnel

The rhythm section for Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! featured on guitar, on drums, on Fender Rhodes, and on percussion. The album's horn sections were assembled in two locations, with the New York group including on trumpet, on , and additional players such as Marvin Stamm, , and Wayne Andre; the Los Angeles section comprised on , on , and others like Bill Mays and . Strings were arranged under concertmaster Israel Baker, with violinists including Sid Page, Murray Adler, and Henry Blinder, violas such as Alan Shulman and Milton Sanders, and cellists like Charles McCracken and Jesse Levy. Key soloists included on for "Superwoman," on for "Tell Me a Bedtime Story," and Tom Scott on for "I'm Gonna Miss You." Vocal contributions came from on the title track, on "Stuff Like That" and "Takin' It to the Streets," on background vocals, as well as and . Production was led by as producer, with handling engineering and providing mixing assistance. The New York horn and rhythm sections were recorded at A&R Recording and Sound Ideas in New York, while Los Angeles sessions for horns and strings took place at Cherokee Studios and Westlake Audio.

Reception and Commercial Performance

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1978, Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! elicited mixed responses from critics, who often highlighted the album's polished production and all-star lineup while critiquing its embrace of and trends as diluting its roots. Later assessments echoed these divided sentiments, with jazz-focused retrospectives emphasizing the album's commercial leanings over artistic depth. The 1985 Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide similarly rated it two out of five stars, viewing it as diluted jazz tailored for pop audiences and lacking genuine innovation. Retrospective commentary has been more forgiving, often crediting the 's enduring grooves and sophisticated arrangements. In a analysis, it was described as a "strong funk- album" that rewards repeated listens, with deep, layered grooves revealing Quincy Jones's production prowess despite initial perceptions of commercialism. The single "Stuff Like That" has been particularly lauded in later overviews for its funky energy, influencing perceptions of the album as a bridge between jazz sophistication and accessible pop-funk.

Chart Performance and Certifications

The album Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! experienced modest crossover success on the pop charts, peaking at number 15 on the during its 1978 release. It performed stronger within the R&B , reaching number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . The lead single "Stuff Like That," featuring , became the album's biggest hit, climbing to number 21 on the and spending one week at number 1 on the , ending September 1, 1978. It also reached number 23 on the Canadian Top Singles . Follow-up single "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)," featuring , did not enter the . Other singles from the album failed to achieve major placements. In the United States, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on November 1, 1978, for shipments exceeding 1,000,000 units. International sales data is limited, though the album's strong R&B market performance bolstered Quincy Jones' overall catalog sales abroad.

Legacy

Influence and Remasters

The album Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! played a pivotal role in bridging jazz-funk and disco, blending sophisticated jazz arrangements with pulsating disco rhythms to create a hybrid sound that influenced subsequent productions in the late 1970s and 1980s. This fusion is evident in tracks like the title song "Stuff Like That," which incorporated electronic elements and groove-oriented funk, setting a template for Quincy Jones's later work, including his 1981 album The Dude, where similar crossover sensibilities propelled producers toward mainstream R&B and pop experimentation. The track "Stuff Like That" has endured as a key hit, achieving Top 30 success on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B chart, and its infectious and vocal hooks have been sampled in hip-hop, underscoring the album's lasting rhythmic appeal. Notable examples include samples in tracks like "Multiple Man" by , reflecting how Jones's grooves informed the genre's foundational beats. Guest collaborations on the album significantly advanced the careers of emerging R&B artists, particularly and , by exposing them to broader audiences through high-profile crossover hits. Vandross's lead vocals on "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" marked an early major recording credit that propelled his transition from session singer to . Similarly, Khan's featured performance on "Stuff Like That" reinforced her versatility in blending R&B with disco-funk, enhancing her profile in mainstream crossovers following her tenure. Reissue efforts have sustained the album's accessibility across formats. A&M Records released a standard CD edition in 1993 without bonus tracks, preserving the original analog mastering for digital consumption. In the 2010s, remastered versions became available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, improving audio fidelity through high-resolution digital transfers and introducing the album to younger listeners. Vinyl repressions gained momentum in the 2020s, fueled by a broader revival of Jones's catalog after the 2018 Netflix documentary Quincy, with a limited-edition 180-gram pressing released in June 2025 as part of Universal Music Group's reissue series. Following Quincy Jones's death on November 3, 2024, at age 91, the album has been highlighted in retrospectives as a critical pivot in his output, emblemizing his shift from pure to genre-blending innovation that shaped modern production techniques. Obituaries and tributes emphasize its certification and role in Jones's string of commercial successes, positioning it as an essential artifact of his eclectic . In 2025, Jones received posthumous tributes at the and , and a comprehensive 20-CD , The Legacy of Quincy Jones, is set for release on November 21, encompassing his career highlights including this album.

Quincy Jones' Discography Context

Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! (1978) followed ' studio album I Heard That!! (1976) and his Roots soundtrack (1977), marking a transitional point in his output during the late 1970s. It preceded his next studio release, The Dude (1981), and his landmark production of Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982). This album represented a key phase in Jones' stylistic evolution, shifting from his earlier big-band jazz roots toward funk-soul hybrids that incorporated disco elements, reflecting broader 1970s musical trends. As one of his six studio albums from the —alongside (1971), You've Got It Bad Girl (1973), (1974), Mellow Madness (1975), and I Heard That!! (1976)—it highlighted his production expertise with collaborations featuring prominent artists, contributing to his career total of 28 . Following Sounds...and Stuff Like That!!, Jones pursued additional soundtrack projects and pop productions, including work on (1979) and (1985), which reinforced his reputation as a versatile genre-blender until his death on November 3, 2024.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/master/83180-Quincy-Jones-Sounds--And-Stuff-Like-That
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/soundsand-stuff-like-that%2521%2521-mw0000649592
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/album/sounds-and-stuff-like-that/1442863691
  4. https://www.discogs.com/release/1123003-Quincy-Jones-Roots-The-Saga-Of-An-American-Family
  5. https://www.levelman.com/three-album-run-quincy-jones-black-pop-sound/
  6. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/quincy-jones-in-20-songs/
  7. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/quincy-jones/stuff-like-that
  8. https://www.discogs.com/release/443041-Quincy-Jones-Sounds--And-Stuff-Like-That
  9. https://www.sessiondays.com/2023/04/1978-quincy-jones-sounds-and-stuff-like-that/
  10. https://www.discogs.com/release/397493-Quincy-Jones-Sounds--And-Stuff-Like-That
  11. https://www.allmusic.com/album/soundsand-stuff-like-that-mw0000649592
  12. https://www.allmusic.com/album/soundsand-stuff-like-that%21%21-mw0000649592
  13. https://andresmusictalk.wordpress.com/2018/03/14/78-on-the-longplay-sounds-and-stuff-like-that-by-quincy-jones/
  14. http://www.recordsandcharts.com/albumrun.php?alid=9506
  15. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/1978-07-15/
  16. https://www.billboard.com/artist/quincy-jones/chart-history/hot-100/
  17. https://www.billboard.com/artist/quincy-jones/chart-history/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs/
  18. http://tsort.info/music/8fy4c0.htm
  19. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/quincy-jones-rip/
  20. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/quincy-jones/
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/04/quincy-jones-obituary
  22. https://www.whosampled.com/Quincy-Jones/Stuff-Like-That/
  23. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/RW-1981-09-26.pdf
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/1876585-Quincy-Jones-Sounds--And-Stuff-Like-That
  25. https://theseconddisc.com/2025/04/30/quincy-jones-vinyl-shm-cd-reissues-june-2025/
  26. https://www.netflix.com/title/80102952
  27. https://grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-quincy-jones-tribute-performance-stevie-wonder-herbie-hancock-janelle-monae
  28. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/quincy-jones-oscars-tribute-oprah-whoopi-queen-latifah-1236152218/
  29. https://www.everythingjazz.com/story/the-legacy-of-quincy-jones/
  30. https://www.discogs.com/artist/17546-Quincy-Jones
  31. https://www.quincyjones.com/bio
  32. https://andresmusictalk.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/quincy-delight-jones-the-funk-years-1974-to-1978/
  33. https://www.grammy.com/artists/quincy-jones/11020
  34. https://www.billboard.com/lists/quincy-jones-film-tv-scores-best/
  35. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr4n2490r9o
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