Review: When it hit in 1973, this album expertly blended cool jazz, r&b and sophisticated orchestrations into a seamless album that helped shape future funk and soul. Opening with the sultry, atmospheric 'Summer in the City', Jones reinterprets the 60s classic into a smooth jazz-soul groove, with Valerie Simpson's seductive vocals setting a fiery tone. The album flows through contrasting moods, from the mellow 'The Eyes of Love', featuring a haunting harmonica solo by Toots Thielemans, to a tribute to Aretha Franklin with the tender 'Daydreaming', sung by Simpson. The second half shifts to livelier jazz and funk, with a dynamic cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition', enhanced by contributions from Bill Withers and Stevie himself, and a spirited rendition of Dizzy Gillespie's 'Manteca', showing a stellar lineup of musicians. Tracks like 'Sanford & Son Theme' and 'Chump Change' deliver irresistible, playful moments, while 'Clump Change' wraps up the album with an epic, jazz-infused finale. The album blends grace, energy and musical depth, making You've Got It Bad Girl a real gem in Jones' catalogue.
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