"Ai No Corrida" by Quincy Jones

Grammy Alert!

Song#:  0564
Date:  04/11/1981
Debut:  81
Peak:  28
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Pop, Dance



Pop Bits:  For the most part these days if you mention Quincy Jones to someone, they think of his work with Michael Jackson and other major artists. But really Jones' musical background and career started far earlier. First as a jazz trumpeter on tour with Lionel Hampton in the 50s and then to composing scores for films like "In Cold Blood," and "In the Heat of the Night." He released solo albums along the way that ranged from jazz to pop and also produced hits for others such as "It's My Party" by Leslie Gore (#1, 1963). He had a few singles reach the pop charts, but only one reached the Top 40, "Stuff Like That" in 1978 (#21). In 1981, he released what would become the first of two major hit albums. "The Dude" would be a multiple Grammy nominee, including Album of the Year, and it featured this first single which got him back in the Top 40 for the second time. It was also a Grammy winner for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals. It featured the vocals of Dune, Charles May, and Patti Austin.

ReduxReview:  It probably didn't hurt that Jones had more name recognition at this time thanks to his work on Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall," so it allowed for some attention for this single. The album sure skews more towards pop/R&B and this one heads right to the dance arena. It's a nice jam but it's nothing that I'd head out and buy (which I didn't at the time).

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This song was co-written by Chas Jankel and it was originally released on his self-titled debut album in 1980. The UK artist was the keyboardist/guitarist for Ian Dury & the Blockheads before heading out on a solo career. Although he would never hit the US pop chart, he did reach #1 on the dance chart in 1982 with "Glad to Know You."

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