George Benson - Absolute Benson
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Artist: George BensonEdition: Music CD
Format: Enhanced
CD Release Date: 2000-05-23
Music Label: Grp Records
Soundtracks:
- The Ghetto
- El Barrio
- Jazzenco
- Deeper Than You Think
- One On One
- Hipping The Hop
- Lately
- Come Back Baby
- Medicine Man
Music reviews of Absolute Benson
Music Review: jazzy Benson and Joe Sample in a beautiful project.
Rating: 5 Stars
It is no secret that George Benson is one of the most talented guitarists and singers in jazz (his first musical realm as a recording artist) and R&B/pop (where he is better known to the great audiences). But through most of the '80s and '90s not much of the jazz side of him was much in evidence. A big waste of talent, even as he continued a good and lucrative career. Since the mid-90s Benson has added more elements of jazz into his music, to good effect, and this '99 album is his best foray into contemporary smooth jazz. While not as hardcore jazz as his '60s recordings, I say it is a fine addition to Benson albums such as "Breezing" and "Weekend in LA", works that successfully blended serious jazz chops with friendly, accessible grooves.
Backed by a tight small combo including the great key player Joe Sample, Benson leads (or perhaps co-leads, as Sample writes most of the tunes and is prominent in all arrangements) a tight band that plays a classy, funky, smooth collection of tracks ranging from smooth funk-jazz to ,well, smooth jazz ballads and one blues by Ray Charles.
Not much vocal work from Benson here, though he sings well in the opening tune "The Ghetto" and the blues track. His playing is super tasty and brilliant, and you will get plenty of his trademark scat singing doubled by the guitar. He delivers!
The first 2 tracks are lively, rhythmic, "The Ghetto" is a groovy marvel and "El Barrio" even raises the energy up a notch with a faster tempo. Then things mellow out a bit and you get a selection of ballads. My favorite is "Deeper than You Think". Good stuff but I miss something catchy like "Breezing". But it is all very tasty and overall a very nice project. 'Hipping the Hop" is an intriguing, inventive jazz tune. And the final tune, "Medicine Man", co-written by Benson and Sample, it is a fine jam: great atmosphere, layered arrangement, propelled by a funky, sexy groove and with serious playing by Benson and Sample.
I wish these guys get together more often because of course there is chemistry and great musicianship at play in this album. A worth addition if you like Benson and/or Sample.
Description of Absolute Benson
Mostly an instrumental record of new standards and rare favorites. This import edition adds one bonus track, 'El Barrio' (Masters At Work Remix)' also includes an enhanced cd component featuring assorted photographs & exclusive filmed studio footage unavailable elsewhere. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.George Benson has been threatening to record a serious guitar album for years, and he's finally done it. Absolute Benson is 99.9 percent pure jazz guitar as only this master of the instrument can produce. Recalling Benson's CTI output of the 1970s, Absolute Benson features his lyrical, logical, and often emotional playing in mellow, groove-a-licious arrangements. Taking a cue from Santana and Louie Vega (who produced a couple of tracks here), Benson starts off AB with the percolating Latin bump of Donny Hathaway's "The Ghetto" and its companion piece, "El Barrio." Benson does scat and sing here, but after his smooth crooning and Joe Sample's funky electric piano, Benson's nimble fingers take flight and never touch down. AB includes the blistering burn of "El Barrio," the burnished tones and smooth Brazilian swing of "Jazzenco," the Wes Montgomery-style chordal work of "Deeper Than You Think," the bittersweet jazz waltz "One on One," the cosmopolitan "Hipping the Hop," and the deep-funk closer "Medicine Man." AB is commercial, so don't expect any burning hard bop or samba madness. But Benson's guitar work is so liquid and gorgeous, it's simply wonderful to hear him cut loose and really play with musicians--Ricky Petersen, Steve Gadd, Luis Conte, Christian McBride--who know how to work the edges of the soul-jazz groove. --Ken Micallef
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