Q’s Cues: New ‘Écoutez Le Cinéma’ Box Celebrates the Music of Quincy Jones

When Rhino released Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy Jones – a 4CD, 74-track collection – in 2001, it was a valiant attempt to tell a story that was still being written. The gifted bandleader, composer and producer, who passed away at the age of 91 in 2024, had an enduring way with sound, be it jazz, pop, R&B, rock or even film and television scoring. His decades of work with the 20th century’s greatest luminaries made him a tremendous (if controversial) raconteur, with countless stories to tell and luminaries to work alongside….

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The Mystery of Your Gift: Josh Groban’s “Hidden Gems” Collects Deep Cuts, Rarities

Earlier this year, Josh Groban debuted Gems, a new collection that coincided with his Las Vegas residency of the same name.  Now, just in time for the holiday season, the crossover superstar is unveiling a companion album.  On November 14, Groban will release Hidden Gems, an eleven-track single-CD or digital compilation bringing together one new song, two tracks new to CD, and eight rarities released on various albums and exclusive editions over the years. Hidden Gems spans 2004 through the present day, with the earliest track being Groban’s contribution to the soundtrack…

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The Weekend Stream: April 21, 2024

Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s super-sized post-Record Store Day lineup includes more: more remixes, more covers, more Mancini and yes, more Taylor Swift. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (Republic) (iTunes / Amazon) Can you really call this a reissue? Pop’s most ubiquitous A-lister whipped fans into a frenzy by announcing her 11th studio album shortly before picking up her fourth Grammy Award for…

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Review: Dr. John, “Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch” from The Last Music Company

What happens when you mix a bit of gris-gris with a touch of classic jazz? You get a party of an album such as Dr. John’s Ske-Dat-Ske-Dat: The Spirit of Satch! The late Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, frequently drew on the classic sounds of New Orleans as he conjured his own musical voodoo. Most appropriately, his final studio album was a tribute to one of the most significant figures to ever emerge from the Crescent City. Louis Armstrong transformed the sounds of both jazz and popular music, and on the 2014…

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