Breezin'
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| Breezin' | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by George Benson | ||||
| Released | 1976 | |||
| Recorded | January 6, 7 & 8, 1976 at Capital Records Studios, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | Smooth jazz | |||
| Length | 38:42 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | Tommy LiPuma | |||
| George Benson chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [1] |
| Robert Christgau | C [2] |
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| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |
Breezin' is an album by jazz/soul guitarist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records.
The album marked the beginning of Benson's most successful period commercially. Breezin' topped the Pop, Jazz and R&B album charts in Billboard[3] and spun off two hit singles, the title song (which has become a smooth jazz standard) and "This Masquerade," which was a top ten pop and R&B hit.[4] The album itself was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.[5]
The album won multiple prizes at the 1977 Grammy Awards. The album won the awards Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Benson and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for Al Schmitt and was nominated as Album of the Year for Tommy LiPuma and Benson. "This Masquerade" received the award Record of the Year for LiPuma and Benson, while it was nominated as Song of the Year for Leon Russell and as Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for Benson.[6]
Gábor Szabó, a Hungarian jazz guitarist, recorded the original version of the title track Breezin', and has expressed disdain for Benson's success with his arrangement.[citation needed] Ironically, LiPuma produced both versions.[7]
In 2004, Donny Osmond redid the song as Breeze On By, using the original arrangement and guitar licks and adding a vocal track.[citation needed]
Contents |
Track listing [edit]
| Side one | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Breezin'" | Bobby Womack | 5:40 | |||||||
| 2. | "This Masquerade" | Leon Russell | 8:03 | |||||||
| 3. | "Six to Four" | Phil Upchurch | 5:06 | |||||||
| Side two | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |||||||
| 1. | "Affirmation" | José Feliciano | 7:01 | |||||||
| 2. | "So This is Love?" | Benson | 7:03 | |||||||
| 3. | "Lady" | Ronnie Foster | 5:49 | |||||||
Personnel [edit]
- George Benson - guitar, vocals
- Jorge Dalto - piano, clavinet
- Ronnie Foster - electric piano, Moog synthesizer
- Phil Upchurch - rhythm guitar
- Ralph MacDonald - percussion
- Stanley Banks - bass
- Claus Ogerman - arranger, conductor
- Harvey Mason, Sr. - drums
- Noel Newbolt - Associate Producer
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Ginell, Richard S.. George Benson: Breezin’ > Review at Allmusic. Retrieved 7 Mar 2010.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: George Benson". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ Breezin' Billboard Albums at Allmusic
- ^ Breezin' Billboard Singles at Allmusic
- ^ "American album certifications – George Benson – Breezin'". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
- ^ "Past Winners Search | GRAMMY.com - 1976". grammy.com. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Contrast_(G%C3%A1bor_Szab%C3%B3_album)
| Preceded by Frampton Comes Alive! by Peter Frampton |
Billboard 200 number-one album July 31, 1976 - August 13, 1976 |
Succeeded by Frampton Comes Alive! by Peter Frampton |
External links [edit]
- George Benson-Breezin at Discogs
- Breezin' at Myspace (streamed copy where licensed)
