Quincy Jones And His Orchestra - The Quintessence (1973 Japanese Impulse! Gatefold LP)

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: VG+
Obi: None

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Quincy Jones And His Orchestra - The Quintessence Vinyl LP - 1973 Japanese Impulse!/ABC Gatefold Reissue

Quincy Jones' 1961 big band album for Impulse! showcases his arranging mastery across eight compositions featuring an all-star orchestra including trumpeters Freddie Hubbard, Thad Jones, and Snooky Young, saxophonists Oliver Nelson, Phil Woods, and Jerome Richardson, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and a four-piece French horn section. Released in Japan in 1973 by Toshiba Musical Industries as part of the "Jazz Label Cornerstone" series, this gatefold stereo pressing captures Jones balancing hard bop's intensity with big band sophistication, his arrangements providing frameworks for stellar soloists while maintaining ensemble precision. Highlights include the title track, Thelonious Monk's "Straight, No Chaser" given big band treatment, and "Invitation" featuring the orchestra's full power.

The album demonstrates Jones' evolution as arranger from his 1950s work toward the soul-jazz and film scoring that would dominate his 1960s-70s output. His arrangements honour big band tradition while incorporating bebop's harmonic complexity and contemporary orchestration techniques. The presence of four French horns and tuba adds unusual timbral depth, while harpist Gloria Agostini on selected tracks creates textures rarely heard in hard bop contexts. The soloists—particularly Hubbard's fiery trumpet and Nelson's authoritative saxophone—shine within Jones' carefully structured frameworks.

Different personnel across tracks reflects the multiple sessions required for the album, with rotating drummers (Bill English and James Johnson) and varying horn configurations. This allows Jones to tailor arrangements to specific instrumental combinations while maintaining overall coherence.