This fine overview of
Jones' '50s and '60s work makes for the perfect introductory disc for the ballad-loving jazz fan. Stocked with 15 of the composer/arranger's best performances,
Jazz 'Round Midnight: Quincy Jones shows off both
Jones' deft touch with the pen ("An Evening in Paris") and as an interpreter of other composer's classics ("Ellington Medley"). He even shows off his fine way with soundtrack material on covers of
Henry Mancini's "Soldier in the Rain" and
Ernest Gold's "Exodus" (
Jones, of course, made some stunning soundtracks of his own, including In the Heat of the Night and
The Italian Job). Featuring a veritable roll call of jazz giants,
Jones'
Jazz 'Round Midnight makes for some fine after-hours listening. ~ Stephen Cook