Breezin'

Performer: George Benson (Guitarist)
Artist: Phil Upchurch; Ronnie Foster; Jorge Dalto; Harvey Mason
Engineer: Al Schmitt
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Jorge Dalto (acoustic & electric pianos, Clavinet); Ronnie Foster (electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer); Phil Upchurch (guitar, bass); Stanley Banks (bass); Harvey Mason (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion). Producer: Tommy LiPuma. Reissue producers: David McLees, Patrick Milligan. Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California from January 6-8, 1976. Includes liner notes by Al Young and A. Scott Galloway. Digitally remastered by Bill Inglot. Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Jorge Dalto (acoustic & electric pianos, Clavinet); Ronnie Foster (electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer); Phil Upchurch (guitar, bass); Stanley Banks (bass); Harvey Mason (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion). Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California from January 6-8, 1976. Includes liner notes by Al Young. Benson earned his reputation as a superior jazz guitarist through his partnership with soul/jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff. Several solo albums for the CTI label ensued before a switch to the giant Warner Brothers resulted in extraordinary chart success with this release. Benson's remake of the title track, originally a hit for fellow guitarist Gabor Szabo, set the tone for the entire set wherein mellifluous funk underscores the artist's sweet voice and soft-touch technique. Like Nat 'King' Cole before him, Benson left jazz to court a wider audience and with Breezin' he did so with considerable aplomb. Benson earned his reputation as a superior jazz guitarist through his partnership with soul/jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff. Several solo albums for the CTI label ensued before a switch to the giant Warner Brothers resulted in extraordinary chart success with this release. Benson's remake of the title track, originally a hit for fellow guitarist Gabor Szabo, set the tone for the entire set wherein mellifluous funk underscores the artist's sweet voice and soft-touch technique. Like Nat 'King' Cole before him, Benson left jazz to court a wider audience and with Breezin' he did so with considerable aplomb. George Benson first earned his reputation as a superior jazz guitarist through his partnership with soul/jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff. Several solo albums for the CTI label ensued before a switch to the giant Warner Brothers resulted in extraordinary chart success with this release. Benson's remake of the title track, originally a hit for fellow guitarist Gabor Szabo, set the tone for the entire set, wherein mellifluous funk underscores the artist's sweet voice and soft-touch technique. Like Nat "King" Cole before him, Benson left jazz (though not completely) to court a wider audience, and on BREEZIN' he did so with considerable aplomb.

Q (5/01, p.129) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The biggest-selling album in jazz history....compelling electric guitar improvisation..."

George Benson's success as a pop performer has perhaps overshadowed his status as a jazz artist, but beneath the glossy exterior is a guitarist of the highest rank. Similar to his role model, Wes Montgomery, Benson made his mark in the mid 1960s as a hard-swinging guitarist before venturing into lushly produced pop-jazz that showcased his talents in a more radio-friendly setting. Despite the aesthetic departure, Benson remains an artist with a highly individual style.

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