Quincy Jones "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" (1974)

[abbybunny812]

I think this song is trying to represent what sexual pleasure SOUNDS like in music.

[tullochlinton19]

Love it, love it love it!

[Bbopjonez]

My grandfather was a good friend of Quincy's at Garfield way back when.. My grandfather played sax and boxed but ended up down a crooked path. He was a good man, just a little misguided.. But I'm proud of him regardless and this music helps me feel a little more connected to him.

[FarrahtheShort1]

<3 what more can be said

[maxie1dog]

Man, this song just blows me away

[TheVeeBoe]

That's Love for you.

[godfolks]

They just don't make music like this anymore. ; o ( Bless you my brother and sister yall sure sound gooooooooooooood!

[fawaz008]

yep it's Quincy Jones baby 

[vicsmusiccafe]

This is the work of a master! A lesson in arranging and studio recording, not to mention the ability to get so many talented artists together towards one beautiful musical creation! Q, you are truly awesome!

[Bossachic]

One of the most brilliant songs ever recorded!

[mistycat57]

i, was in another world,cuz' i, thought this was ashford and simpson.

[fnkmonk]

the I want You back album.... was originally Leon's record.. but Berry wanted it for Marvin.. and the rest is history!

[MrCrimsoneyedprince]

This song is smoother than butter! Bless Quincy.

[fitzbaby11]

can you al jarreaus precusive scats in the backround ? awsome!!!

[sinshiro]

so daft punk must take inspiration from these guys?

[FSBMoneyGang]

allllll.../Man..ya'llll.../how­.. i Do..!! it's.. Da.. light.. skin Kid with the $Million $Dollar Smile *Trenton Own... *King *Jeffrey III And im' on my sh!t as Usual..!! Don't Bite..!! My... Shit...

[jrogers4072]

Its beautiful when the music speaks for itself, a classic.

[10clow01]

yep...

[luvmifro]

thats my joint right there! yesss Lawd!

[blain147]

Good stuff

[shag112002]

W/the great David T. Walker on lead guitar.

[MzKarmel601]

OMG... I was in love with a fabulous young man who got killed in a mistaken identity situation in 1975 - THIS was our SONG. Minnie's version was what I would sing to him but, this was OUR private time SONG.

[cannoir]

this is really sad. God bless you.

[cqgmickey]

@MzKarmel601 Who got shot?

[EchenMeLaCulpa]

3 peeps never been fascinated

[bmbacchus]

We've always been despite people. We make amazing beautiful works despite the horrors. We've also learned how to stay underground or invisible. Everyone's mentioned Quincy, but (as he probably planned it), we've slept on the genius of Ray Brown, we should re-think and dig a little deeper. Obviously the inclusion of Benny Golson's Along Came Betty is probably because of Ray Brown, but I've got to think that having Minnie, Al and Leon singing the song as a chorus has a lot to do with Ray.

[rAYsimmon]

I don't even know how to comment on this. To say it's great is an understatement.

This is every artist collaborating--at the top of their game. Q brought out the best in every artist he ever worked with.

I mean Jesus Christ!

[TaNeal]

My Motto!

[Theothecat]

Quincy is the boss.  Nuff said.

[jabaltar84]

Al Jarreau is killing it on the BG Vocals!!

[fakrat]

@jabaltar84 Here''s a shocker for you new schoolers. with much respect for your interest in this old school music. Being old school and was actually there during the recording, the only percussionist you hear is Al Jarreau. Listen from the opening note and you will him doing what sounds like a conga drum, but he's actually doing all those sounds WITH HIS MOUTH. through out the song. Leon wrote the song and was done at A&M records.Minnie was cool,. what sounds like Luther is really Leon. peace

[jabaltar84]

@fakrat Thank you very much for that info!! I truly appreciate your direct information. I've been on a Jones/Riperton/Ware/Jarreau fix as of late...... Question; You where there during the "Body Heat" sessions?! Amazing.......

[NOLAHB]

THAT IS SO AMAZING>>>Thanks I will definetly Share that!!

[mjjcng8958]

@fakrat he's scatting . leon ware is an amazing writer who wrote one of my favorite albums. thanks for the info

[fakrat]

@fakrat Thanks to all of you who responded. there are so many unwritten rules in this music industry. therefore, I can't spill dirt. So much of what you hear on many recordings ( even today) are done by ghost artist. So, don't always believe liner notes and / or credits. If an artist can do the session with the same quality for a smaller hourly rate, he fits in the budget. Get where I'm going with this? Keep on Listening, Learning, and Loving Music. Oh yea,Louis Johnson did more than C. Rainey

[TheGrownasswoman]

But that was never in question...It's a great song and Quincy put it out....he produced & wrote song with Leon Ware.....learn your facts...

[gellis9]

all I'm saying is...LEON WARE!!!!

[ValleyboyATE1ATE]

Yea this song was really written by the legendary LEON WARE dont get it twisted for one bit.. ask Quincy .

[TheGrownasswoman]

Brilliance ...is always recognized.. Q is the artist that can captivate any sound I was 12 yrs old and had a crush on this song....

[leebski]

Ultra Ultra cool. Soul music at its most brilliant. And Maestro Q at the very top of his game... as ever.

[cazz8051]

love this

[Renegadeproject]

the Q worked with the best and made them even better

[walinho78]

este señor es un genio!

[glasscitadel12]

i remember when this was new--i was in second grade and my parents use to play it. we lived in a newly constructed house and this brings back great memories. can you say 30 thousand dollars to build a house?

[dowsemeister]

some of Chuck Rainey's best bass playing !!!!

[faithlessaaa]

I thought this was an AWB original

[glasscitadel12]

@faithlessaaa nope.

[missladydiva]

@faithlessaaa ME too :(...but its ok...still love AWB! Much groovier!

[Borntomotivate]

A special gem with some greats!

[1956909milu]

This song helped me thru my tour in Okinawa in 1975. Never did I forget this great randition. Thanks for posting it, souly appreiciate it.

[FLRsMom]

Thanks for posting real music! The song brings back good memories.

[TheGrownasswoman]

Absolutely love this tune ...the arrangements ,horns and percussionist..yes lord ..

[VintageVelvetSoul]

Sexy Soul Music Man that is Quincy......

[hipkings1]

great  tune

[hipkings1]

graet tune

[ginmarie75]

nice!

[gman20251]

Love this Song ! In my top 10 of favorite songs.

[deegray8236]

If you love has music look up What Good Is A Song .By the man and tell me what you think.Big D.

[TheSocratease]

Minnie Riperton and Leon Ware---Heaven. Q was always bringing it. Great times and memories associated with this piece. Great selection and thanks for posting it. Off to buy music!

[bendore07]

This song ,like many other Q tunes Just have this " Sensuous" texture

[lindseyblair]

Got to be Bernard Purdie on drums

[brandonandrewdad]

Once again, and I guess it's still news to some, 'Ain't nothin like the real thing'.

[bonniekilty]

I love it but it`s over produced.

[sammeister1]

@bonniekilty Your probably right there the track does kinda have too much depth.

[CloseTheDoor69er]

I've only ever been familiar with the Average White Band version of this song. So fantastic to hear this one though, pure sex!

[inialny]

RIP Minnie Riperton

[citygal226]

Don't know who all else is on this but I do know that Minnie Ripperton IS!

[MrConneckt19]

Q is The Godfather!!

[elvirajoseph]

I think the whole wide world of you Quincy!..

mmmuwah!

[titusact4scene2]

I think I hear Al Jarreau in the background.This is such a cool song.There is a certain self confidence about this kind of music.I don't think this kind of cool can be duplicated in the wired era we now live in.This music requires a self possession that doesn't need 24/7 texting/gaming/blogging.

[tresinga]

Thanks.. I did hear Minnie in the background. I can dig it. I did see a video with Leon doing a rendition of it.

[TheLeviteLady]

Yes sir, love it. Minnie voice sets it off thanks.

[siloe103]

De La Soul Sampled this mean Cut

[Atomank68]

Attend and remember children, every, and I mean EVERY significant artist has always made gold with this Stevie Wonder classic!

[guyver524]

THIS IS THE MEANING OF CLASSIC

[msfea1130]

Ya so exciting...i'm writing the book of love called you...they don't make music like this no more...

[elkartian]

Fantastic always loved QJ's work also on this recording we have another great who is no longer with us that is trombonist Frank Rosolino doing a short but so soulful trombone solo...pure magic!! on the same LP he plays on the track everything must change. on mellow madnes he is featured on Bluesette.quiny knew how to pick the best for his band

[thepeopleofhotep]

The one and only "Q"! Outstanding! The great Minnie Riperton in the vocals! RIP Minnie we're missing you.

[ghafoor10]

Luther and Minnie - What, are you kidding? This is the shizz-nit !!!

[woodie62]

The "Q" !!!!

[troopa1911]

This is why the man is a Legend...wow

[craigfromnewcastle]

I hear Minnie Ripperton clearly around 1 minute 40 :)

Highly distinctive voice Minnie RIP - I love Quincy

[Bobsyermomsuncle]

Where's the LOVE IT icon for perfection like this?  Thanks for sharing.

[goldengirlwithmyopia]

'from the incomparable Quincy Jones' - you spoil us, this is superlative

[pedrodurias]

Caliente

[umi1956]

oh yeah!

[mashomegula]

carol bayer sager wrote it but quincy did a great job on it !

[QueUnlimited]

One word....H O  T!

[Torihope]

Quincy; always the musical genius. Check out his body of work on the net; it's absolutely amazing....

[SurfistaPDO]

beautiful =D !! ***PORTUGAL***

[bigdog0502]

this is fire!!!!!!!1

[bigdog0502]

this is fire!!!!!!!1

[bigdog0502]

this is fire!!!!!!!1

[pghdjmarty]

Sunday morning hangover music...HELL YES!

[bklee503]

This is a very chilled joint.

[molinmusic]

LOVE THIS, thank you SO much for posting!!!

Rovingeye2, wish you could take some time to post the musician roster for this track.

The instrumental solos are brilliant!

[mrstoya45]

This version was the best!!! I just coundn't find this album! :(

[joehop1505]

Q did again

[tommiexander]

The Average White Band worked this song too. It was one of their hit songs in the 70's

[55Medusa]

If you're foolin'!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gmomoftwins]

I love this version and also minnie rippletons she nails it with her fantastic vocals

[tsp50wlove]

One of my favorites. Thanks for posting.

[marioTmaggot]

A touch of funk with a pinch of soul.

[ilovelife1974]

Al Jarreau does good in this song too!

[rAYsimmon]

Damn this is smooth. I first learned about this song from listening to the

Michael Jackson station on Yahoo Radio.

Sit back and watch the music master at work.

[crysr007]

This song is written by Leon Ware..who is also singing on the track.

[monsterdime]

not nick ashford????? on a radioquiz it was al,minnie, and nick ashford pro by q who's leon ware????

[sanandjazree]

That's definitely Nick Ashford with the falsetto. I also hear Minnie.

[tresinga]

I didn't even know Quincy produced/wrote this song first. This is the joint right here.

[ekocentric]

@tresinga He did a heck of a lot of movie and television sound tracks as well. I.E. The Mod Squad and worked extensively with Frank Sinatra in his early days as a writer, producer.

[sharkbait8088]

@tresinga Quincy did not write this song.

[twotonebuick]

@tresinga Actually Leon Ware wrote it. He also wrote Minnie Riperton's "Inside my Love." "I wanna be where you are" for Michael Jackson, and damn near the entire "I want you" album for Marvin Gaye. Quincy probably did produce it though.

[Jonnn79]

When a song gives me chills, it's a great song. This song gives me chills.

[1975tooto]

Average White Band did a great remake of this!!

[Atomank68]

If I ever Lose This Heaven was the song most covered by marquee R&B, Jazz, and "Pop" artist in 1974. The only other composition that was covered even more was "All in Love is Fair". No one, not even your pathetic airport hotel 'lounge lizard' could lose by wowing the crowd with this song!

[keith9011]

Quincy Jones is the master of music.

[capjoy7]

It definitely has NOT been played ENOUGH on radio. Haven't heard it in years! Wonderful jazz tune and I don't even like jazz:), but this one is the BOMB! Thanks again!

[oakland2949]

You can call it anything you want. Personally, I wouldn't call it jazz.

[popimpslab]

It has some aspects of jazz in it. It is good music all around!

[Nanadsyl]

@oakland2949

But I would call it jammin though!!

[slapmyfunkybass]

to say you dont like jazz is quite a statement, that covers smooth jazz, jazz funk, jazz house, latin jazz, swing, bebop, big band, and many others under the name of jazz... a lot of blues, soul and funk are influenced by jazz... hence this record

[capjoy7]

Thanks Rovingeye2. I was wondering who made this song. No one seemed to know and now I've found it!!! Old school beauty!!!! This is the original and the BEST!!!! 34 years ago, I made a baby with this one:). Thanks Quincy, and the late great Minnie and all. Love this song!!!!! Now, it's in my favorites and my mind as to who made it forever! Thanks!!!!

[local2458]

A great collaboration by true stars -- Al Jarreau, Minnie Ripperton, Leon Ware -- and as sexy a song as ever there was....

[shanika4ever]

Check out Will Downing version of '' if I ever lose this heaven''

[sweetsurrender2me]

The very last licorice pizza I ever bought!..

and one of the best!!..

[durangos230]

all ican say is ooh my god

[jafuso61]

GREAT Tune * * * * * Thank you

[passjay]

Nice Q groove..you da man..thanks for this stellar post..this is one of my all-time favs..peace

[Zandi5]

I just love the way Minnie croons in this one. So sexy!!!

[peeterpoon]

The Average White Band did a terrific job on this underrated tune. It is a shame that no one had a big hit with it.