P.J. Le Faucheur | Canada (ex- U.K. resident) | 07/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This whole album always sounded like a conceptual soundtrack or score for a stage production. I always visualised Arthur Murray or Martha Graham arranging a dance project to go with this album. The arrangements are superb on every track...the lyrics of the songs are beautifully phrased. I first heard this album back in 1976 and was impressed by the tremendously emotional vocals of Bernard Ighner on the track "Everything Must Change' (very much like Billy Eckstines baritone voice). The vocals on this song give way to a hauntingly clandestine mute trumpet solo, a la Miles Davis. The result is an ultimately 'cool' laidback idyllic journey which carries you away from all your troubles! The song "Just a Man" is very similar in it's effect. This song is strongly gospel inflected with some stunning harmonies.
This c.d has the best ever version of this song.(I realise that George Benson later covered the song as did Randy Crawford.) The other track that blew me away was the stunning version of "If I Ever Lose This Heaven"...Minnie Riperton was at her best on this track. (her untimely death still leaves a huge void in the music world ). The arrangements ,again,are wonderful especially on the Benny Golson song "Along came Betty"
All in all this c.d . has everything on it, from low down 'n' dirty funk( as on "Boogie Joe, The Grinder") to cool soulful jazz and even when I play it today I find it still hasn't lost any of its excitement or feeling from 1974!
It is , however, a very short recording but as they say, good things do come in small packages!"
Body Heat is Quincy Jones at his best!
askstrick_03@yahoo.com | Kansas City, MO United States | 08/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard this on album (shows my age, doesn't it?) when I was a child. The entire album is Quincy Jones at his finest, but there's something about the song "Everything Must Change." Back then, at the age of 5, it stirred me, and when I hear it today at age 31, I'm still so moved by the song's message. And the music arrangement is awesome! Oleta Adams' 1990 version of this song is good, but something about this first version stirs my soul! "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" is also a great one, especially with the vocals of the late Minnie Ripperton!This is a must-have for any jazz lover, or anyone who has an appreciation for great music!"
Fan Forever!
W. Noshie | 05/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had this 'album' years ago during college. I have always been a 'Q' fan, and always will be. This particular selection is Q at his best. The selections show his range of talent and breadth of expressions, from quiet and melodic(Everyting Must Change), to thumping and erotic(Body Heat). I highly recommend this for people that may be new to Quincy and want to know why Quincy Jones is so revered in the music world."
A Classic from Q
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 07/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is a Classic Album from the Genius Mind Of Quincy Jones.Great Solid Production,Arrangements,&Musicianship.Body heat,If I Ever Lose this Heaven&Everything Must Change are Great SOngs.A Classic."
Not his usual stuff
W. Noshie | Beirut, Lebanon | 04/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Back in the 70's, this was definitely a giant step for QJ, moving from his Jazz sound to the heart of commercial Soul; and who knows or feel music better than QJ? The result is a soul album yet based from all the Jazz sound QJ feels.
Released in 1974, this album did not age a single day; on the contrary, in today's fast life, if you are not in a Jazzy mood nor in the R&B or soul mood, this album would perfectly fit on your CD player, because it is not really Jazz, Soul or R&B, yet it has all these sounds well mixed and tuned into each other.
Last and not least, if you enjoy this album, make sure to check the followings:
The Brothers Johnson; Look out for # 1 (produced and arranged a year later by Mr. Jones with the same feel as `Body heat")