Search - George Benson :: Break It Down

Forgotten 60s Jazz Classic

Sir Douglas | DC Metro | 01/11/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1964 session spotlights a young and unknown George Benson testing his mettle in Brother Jack McDuff's working combo of the time. George was only in his early 20s, and still in need of some seasoning, yet this album provides early clues of future guitar greatness--quicksilver lines, soulful phrasing, and an unerring sense of groove. George was clearly inspired by the deep organ swing of McDuff and the fiery presence of Jimmy Forrest on tenor sax. This is meat-and-potatoes soul-jazz in the best sense of the term, minus the heavy-handed production and distracting arrangements that would mar George's more commercial work of the 70s and 80s. There are no vocals here, just pure jazz and blues guitar in a great setting, unadulterated. Worth getting."

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Jerald Barker | San Marcos, CA USA | 12/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My wife is a big George Benson fan and I have been lukewarm on him, knowing only his more commercial recordings of the 1970s and 1980s.



But on a whim I decided to buy this early Benson recording for her and I promptly fell in love with it.



Be forewarned - it is nothing like the George Benson everyone knows.



The is a pure, basic, classic Jazz recording with no vocals. Very relaxing, very well put together, and very much worth a spot on your Jazz shelf."

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J. penberg | 10/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one's an underrated classic. It's pure 60's soul. The balance of instrumentation is superb. Jack Mcduff takes not only a back seat, but a seat in the waaay back of the bus. He adds flavor here and there on piano and organ but this is mostly tenor and guitar. The melodies are colorful, yet solid, and rooted in blues changes that give a shout out to wes M. style soul. The one ballad, easy living is absolutely beautiful. I wish the album had a few more recordings on it because they had a solid groove going.

Give it a go, you won't regret it!"