Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of  Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade.  From a perspective of resilience,  the staying power of  this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.

While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of  of examples to show  the single’s reach and influence:

From Quincy Jones’ “Q’s Jook Joint” featuring Brandy and Heavy D – 1995

From The Renaissance album Q-Tip’s Move – 2008

You would have to be “Bad” with an opening line like “Your butt is mine” nothing else to talk about see here… but seriously the title track from the final album in the MJ/Quincy trilogy is bad as in bad meaning good not bad meaning bad(cue Run-DMC). Based in part on a story that Michael had read in Time magazine, “Bad” had a two week stay at #1 in the Fall of ’87. I particularly like the Jimmy Smith Organ solo and who didn’t practice the “You’re doing wrong!” section of the video in the basement by the full length mirror? Or was that just me?

Better than any muckraking I can do checkout the commentary from the creators themselves…

Released on July 28, 1979 as the lead single for Michael’s first solo record for Epic, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” ruled the airwaves in the late Summer of 1979. Even though the track was firmly entrenched in the Disco idiom it comprised much more than just the four on the floor kick drum pattern and open hi-hats. Frenetic string and horn work, a falsetto never heard before from Michael and the nastiest of nasty synth bass work from Greg Phillinganes this song was and is a party starter.

Mariah Carey feat. ODB “Fantasy (Remix)”
The song that launched the pop-hip hop collaboration….

Mariah Carey feat. Nicki Minaj – “Up Out My Face”
Mariah proves she’s till got it with 2009′s hottest remix

Mariah Carey feat. Bone Thugs N Harmony – “Breakdown”
Slant Magazine calls it “the song of Carey’s career, where the lyrical strokes are as broad and obvious as they are naked. The song’s central question, “So what do you do when/Somebody you’re so devoted to/Suddenly just stops loving you?” is so naïve and bare, it’s almost as devastating as a child asking hard questions about death.”

Mariah Carey “Can’t Let Go” – Live on SNL (1991)
See if you can spot Randy Jackson in this one . ..

Mariah Carey “You and I” – Stevie Wonder Tribute
One of the best performances of her career….who else could capture Stevie’s key & tone?

Mariah Carey “Last Kiss”
Okay, this one’s for me….but if you haven’t heard this album cut from Mariah’s 2008 album E=MC2, you’re missing out! It’s also Q’s favorite from the album, which while we know is sometimes called into question here at GFM, it’s gotta count for something!

We wanted to take a little time out today and send some happy birthday wishes to one of the greatest musicians of our time, the one and only Quincy Delight Jones. Yes, here at GFM we’ve had our moments where we’ve called into to question some recent projects by Q but that in no way diminishes our love and admiration for someone who has done so much for music.

From the movie soundtrack to “Come Back Charleston Blue”… truly a musician’s, musician Donny truly shows that music is the universal language here. One of the best uses of 1:49 of your life I guarantee.

Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, The Basie Band. Music.

Two classic performances of a classic tune. This song represents a spirit that is really missing in music today: Blues. Do you hear it? It is undeniable in both arrangements. That’s what makes you move, that’s what makes you want to literally “Take it to the streets”. This is not manufactured, this spirit has to be in you in order for it to come out. Maybe that’s the problem, maybe too many “creators” of music have been on a steady diet of garbage and you know what they say garbage in…

20 yrs ago a friend and ventured on a 20-30min ride outside of Atlanta to go see Quincy Jones’ documentary “Listen up”. To say we were awe struck was an understatement. But it is safe to say that we were forever Quincy Jones fans….and students.

Fast forward 20 yrs and Q releases a new disc “Soul Bossanostra”. My friend and I are split on it. He bought it and thinks it’s pretty good. I signed the save Q from himself petition on GFM! Who am I to criticize Quincy Jones?! The man has certainly done his share for music. However I do wish he would’ve leaned more on his musical ear instead of his commercial eye.

But instead of complaining I decided to play a little game. If I had to “share” my suggestions w/Quincy about the direction to take for a project here’s what I would’ve suggested for the Dude!

Project Title: Genius in the Key of Quincy

1. The Roots,Jill Scott, Badu,Mos Def, Talib,Common, Bilal, Jaguar Wright, Q-Tip,Jazzyphatnastees – Listen Up
Interlude of the Roots playing a score piece from one of Q’s films

2. Raphael Saadiq - Light up the Night(Brothers Johnson cover)
Interlude of Saadiq & Joss Stone jamming on “It’s my party”

3. Sy Smith & Lettuce – Razzamatazz (BGV- Lalah,Rahsahaan,Ledisi, Kenya Hathaway, Bilal)
Interlude of Lettuce playing a film score

4. Chante Moore & Kenny Lattimore – How do we keep the music playing? ( Who better than a married couple to sing this)
Interlude Chante Moore scatting a Sarah Vaughn tune Q did

5. Eric Benet – Love X Love (George Benson cover,Mint Condition does the music,BGV-Sy Smith, Lalah,Rah,Ledisi, Bilal, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Eric doin’ Just Once

6. Incognito – Ai No Corrida- (BGV-Sy Smith,Lalah,Rah,Ledisi,Bilal, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Incognito jamming on Body Heat

7. Mint Condition – The Dude (puttin’ some MPLS funk on it w/ BGV- Sy,Lah,Rah, Bilal, Benet, Ledisi, Kenya Hathaway)
Interlude of Mint – rocking a film score

8. Lenny Kravitz & Living Colour – Dirty Diana
Brief Interlude of them jamming to Beat It (gasp)

9. Rahsahaan Patterson w/ the original Jamoriquai(Stuart,Toby,??) rhythm section/along w/ Keith Crouch – Baby Be Mine (BGV’s same as above)
Singers sharing their fav Q tune

10. Roy Hargrove – You put a move on my Heart (Instrumental)
Interlude Roy playing a score piece

11. Badu – Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt me ( w/ ?uest-drums, Saddiq -Bass,Poyser-Keys, Hargrove- Horn arr.,BVG’s -same as above)
Interlude same ensemble jamming on “Stuff like that”

12. Lettuce – Walking In Space
Interlude of Lettuce on Killer Joe

13. Frank McComb(piano only) – 100 ways/Baby come to me

14. Ledisi & Benet w/ Mint, BGV’s same as above - Do You love What you feel?
Interlude of Heaven Bound

15 .George Michael w/Me’shell on bass – Something Special
Me’Shell and George talkin’ about Q

16. Lalah w/Roy Hargrove Big Band – Somewhere( the Aretha- Listen Up version)

17. Lah/Rah/Bilal/Benet/ Ledisi/ McComb George Michael w/ Mint & the Roots – Brand New Day (from the Wiz) – Album ends on this note

Update Some of the artists have already chimed in on Twitter! Let’s hear from a few…