As we reflect on Quincy Jones’s passing and the vast legacy he leaves behind, it’s clear his impact on music and culture was profound. Few areas of music or entertainment escaped his touch, and his influence lives on not only through his own work but also in the countless tracks that sampled his iconic productions.

So, let’s take a look at 5 iconic Quincy samples. Since Quincy Jones wore many hats as both a producer and solo artist, we’ve decided to focus purely on Quincy’s solo work. If you were to include everything he had a hand in you would soon become overwhelmed as It’s believed the music he produced or arranged for has been sampled in over 3000 tracks! Just let that sink in.

Soul Bossa Nova – Quincy Jones

As Sampled in – My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style – Dream Warriors

This classic Quincy composition, later to be forever linked to Austin Powers, helped pioneer a new movement in Hip-Hop. The early 90’s saw the rise of Jazz Rap where hip-hop artists turned their back on James Brown to fully embrace the musical traditions of jazz. Enter The Dream Warriors. A Canadian jazz rap outfit that was integral to this new movement. It was only right that one of their two biggest hits sampled a classic Quincy Jones composition.

Summer in the City – Quincy Jones

As Sampled in – Passin’ Me By – The Pharcyde

While elements of this killer Quicey cover version have been used by countless other artists (over 70 according to WhoSampled) arguably the most famous usage was in The Pharcyde‘s seminal 1992 single Passin’ Me by. The Pharcyde performed a masterful sampling job by layering the 2 bar loop from the summer in the city intro with an assortment of other samples. While Summer in the City provides the lead melody it’s also joined by Weather Reports avant guard track 125th Street Congress and Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced? This perfect musical gumbo is to be celebrated as a masterclass in multi-sample layering.

The Streetbeater (Theme From Sanford and Son) – Quincy Jones

As Sampled in – U.R.A.Q.T. – M.I.A.

Anyone growing up in America during the 1970s will be familiar with the iconic theme music to the TV show Sanford and Son. With its cheeky funk groove and accompanying harmonica melody, it has been the target of numerous producers over the years. The example we have selected by M.I.A is arguably the most inventive use of this sample. It has been sped up considerably and chopped intensively. The harmonica elements are utilised brilliantly as stabs and reprogrammed in numerous inventive ways. Each section provides the perfect platform for M.I.A’s fun and frivolous lyrics.

Cry Baby (Feat Wha Wha Watson) – Quincy Jones

Herbalize it – The Herbaliser

Cry Baby featuring Wha Wha Watson pays tribute to Watson’s guitar peddle of choice. It’s a super funky number that also makes great use of another 70s classic effect- the talk box. All this funkiness was too much to resist for West London Hip Hop Instrumentalist’s The Herbalisor. “Herbalize it” taken from the 1995 Ninja Tune release “Remedies” takes this Quincy composition and dissects it surgically. The result is 2 minutes of funky instrumental Hip Hop fun complete with vocal scratches and layered wha-wha licks.

Ironside – Quincy Jones

As Sampled in – Bonfire – Knife Party

It’s not just Hip Hop that has embraced the sampled sounds of Quincy Jones. Dubstep and Bass Music stalwarts Knife Party tapped into the instantly recognisable intro synths of the Ironside theme in their reggae-tinged track Bonfire. You will have to hold out until 1:33 for the impactful synth sample drop. When it comes in it ramps up the intensity perfectly complimenting the vocal. It is then used sparingly throughout the track to further reinforce the vocal. As well as this great application this iconic synth sample has gone on to take on a life of its own after they were used in the Tarantino movie Kill Bill. The world of Trap embraced a shortened abridged segment of the Kill Bill siren, sampling it as a signature sound fx. For an in-depth investigation into the “Kill Bill Siren” check out this post

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