Quincy Jones - Smackwater Jack 1971 Tqmp -flac- -
Released in October 1971 on A&M Records, Smackwater Jack is a pivotal studio album by Quincy Jones that captures his transition from traditional big band arranging toward the funk-infused, cinematic sound that would define his later career. The album is celebrated for its eclectic mix of television themes, pop covers, and ambitious jazz instrumentals, all performed by an "all-star" ensemble of jazz and session luminaries. Track Listing & Highlights
The Audiophile’s Deep Dive: Quincy Jones’ Smackwater Jack (1971) – The Elusive TQMP Pressing in FLAC
In the vast ecosystem of vinyl rips and high-resolution digital audio, few search strings trigger a dopamine spike in a seasoned collector quite like this one: "Quincy Jones - Smackwater Jack 1971 TQMP -FLAC-". At first glance, it looks like a simple query for a classic jazz-funk album. But to the initiated, each segment is a promise of sonic nirvana. Quincy Jones - Smackwater Jack 1971 TQMP -FLAC-
What made TQMP special?
- Super Vinyl Compound: While US plants used reground vinyl with impurities, TQMP used a proprietary "virgin vinyl" formula. The surface was obsidian-black, completely silent, and heavier (180g+ before it was standard).
- The "Obi" Strip: Every TQMP pressing came with a vertical paper obi (sash) describing the album in Japanese. The original 1971 TQMP obi for Smackwater Jack features a striking red-and-yellow stripe and is nearly impossible to find today.
- Mastering Chain: TQMP did not use the standard US metal mothers. They flew in a first-generation safety copy of the master tape and cut their own lacquers using a modified Neumann VMS-70 lathe with Japanese vacuum-tube cutting amplifiers. The result? Deeper bass extension (down to 30Hz) and a 15kHz top-end shimmer that the US press lacks.
This article is a deep dive into why this specific combination of album, year, pressing plant, and file format is the Holy Grail for jazz-funk audiophiles. Released in October 1971 on A&M Records, Smackwater
Coda: Listening Notes for the FLAC
- Audiophiles who want the original 1971 analog mastering in lossless form.
- Collectors seeking a reliable, log-verified rip (TQMP had a reputation for quality control).
- Fans of jazz-funk who dislike the compressed, loudness-war remasters (e.g., the 2012 Universal CD).
Quincy Jones - Smackwater Jack (1971) TQMP -FLAC-: A Timeless Jazz Fusion Classic Super Vinyl Compound: While US plants used reground
Smackwater Jack was a commercial success, reaching #9 on the Billboard 200 chart and earning Jones a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance. The album's influence can be heard in many later artists, including George Benson, Herbie Hancock, and Weather Report.