Quintessential Quincy. This, apart from being a really high-scoring phrase in Scrabble, is what you will find on the latest offering from Quincy Jones.

Called "From Q With Love," this two-CD set is a collection of 25 of Q's favorite love songs culled from every song he has written, produced, conducted, or arranged. (This album, interestingly enough, started out as a tape Quincy made for a few of his friends, but demand for the collection was so high, he decided to release it on his label, Qwest Records.)

Quincy Jones has produced more songs in his lifetime than the average person has listened to, so this album features a variety of song styles from many of the top artists of recent times. The diversity of artists alone on this collection can stand with that of any musical anthology ever released.

Quincy has mixed, matched, and blended artists such as, George Benson, David Foster, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Toots Thielemans, Barry White and many others to add fire to the songs he's produced.

The album features many timeless, sexy R & B/Jazz standards, including James Ingram's "Just Once," George Benson's "Love Dance," Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" and R. Kelly's smooth addition to the "Q's Juke Joint" menu, "Heaven's Girl." Part of the fun in owning and listening to this album is having all these varied selections in one collection. However, the real, and guilty pleasure in this album lies in the slightly more obscure gems Mr. Jones has been thoughtful enough to include.

For example, the album opens with a song called "Septembro," from Q's 1989 "Back On The Block" album. This is a beautiful, haunting vocal/instrumental that boasts Sarah Vaughan (in her last recording) and Take 6 singing the notes of the composition. The backing band features, among others, George Benson, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, and Gerald Allbright. Another stand-out instrumental, "Velas," is a laid-back seductive jazz number that features Toots Thieleman showing his mastery of the harmonica.

The first CD closes with one of the most pleasant surprises of the whole collection, "The Shadow of Your Smile (Love theme from The Sandpiper)." This version of the song was recorded live at The Sands in 1962 and features Frank Sinatra on vocals and the Count Basie Orchestra as his backing band. It's a stirring tale of lost love anyway, but Q's arrangement coupled with Sinatra's longing croon on vocals make this into a classic.

The second CD opens with one of the two James Ingram/Patti Austin duets featured in the collection, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" Both of them are outstanding vocalists in their own right, but they have a chemistry, a magic when they sing together, that takes their songs to a whole new level. This has to be one of the most stirring duets ever recorded. (The other duet of their's featured in the collection is their biggest selling single, "Baby Come to Me.)

No collection of sexy love songs would be complete without at least one from the master. In the case of this album, Barry White is featured on several different cuts. However, his stand-out cut is another track originally featured on the "Back On The Block" album, "Secret Garden." The Quincy Jones-penned tune wonders what a woman expects or needs from a relationship with a man. In his effort to show four sides of the same male persona, he enlists Al B. Sure, James Ingram, El Debarge, and Barry White to each sing a section of the song. All have their strengths, but Barry once again shows why he is and always will be The Man.

One last notable track from this CD comes from a 1972 album, in which Aretha Franklin showcases both her vocals and her piano playing ability on the Bernstein/Sondheim penned "Somewhere," from their West-Side Story score. Though known for her pop and soul music, Aretha lays down some strong jazzy vocals on this number, and even throws in a surprising, well-crafted piano solo for good measure.

For those who think they've heard it all, the album also features four new tracks from artists Tevin Campbell, Patti Austin, Siedah Garret and El Debarge, and Catero. And, from the "There's something here for everyone" department, one of the tracks on the album features a duet between Brandy and Heavy D.

Overall, this is an impressive collection of love songs showing once again that if anyone in the music industry deserves to be called a living legend, it's Quincy Jones. If playing this album for someone you care about can't get them to fall in love with you (or at least get you laid), you might as well hang it up now. Otherwise, find a date, light a fire, put this album on, and get ready for an exciting night.