George Benson

Though purists may accuse this respected jazz guitarist of having sold out by scoring with a
platinum album of mood music, none could deny that Breezin' contains superior mood
music. Its six medium-length cuts are extended song arrangements which don't allow
daring improvisation yet show off Benson's flawless technique. All sound pretty much the
same -- vaguely wistful and vaguely Latin American -- due to the grafting of gossa... More >

Just in case you're beguiled by his Stevie Wonder imitation (I prefer Carl Carlton's, Chaka Khan's, even Buddy Miles's) on "Masquerade" (I prefer Helen Reddy's, Aretha Franklin's, even Leon Russell's), be hereby informed that Benson is not primarily a singer, but rather a jazz guitarist of the taste variety. And that most of what he spices up here is mush. (Grade: C)