Released 52 years ago today
Bad Benson
George Benson · 1974
50 min · 8 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, where intricate guitar solos dance atop tightly woven rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Take Five Start here — This reinterpretation of Dave Brubeck's classic showcases Benson's exceptional guitar work while introducing a funky groove that highlights his musical evolution.
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Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams — The track features lush melodies and emotive guitar lines, encapsulating the essence of smooth jazz while reflecting Benson's lyrical sensitivity.
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Take the 'A' Train — Benson’s version breathes new life into this jazz standard with its upbeat tempo and inventive solos, illustrating his ability to blend traditional jazz with contemporary styles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong compositions and skilled musicianship, blending jazz and funk effectively.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a cover of 'Take Five', featuring intricate guitar solos layered over a tight rhythm section.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections where Benson's guitar improvisation takes center stage, allowing for dynamic shifts in energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- soulful moments of reflection
- for evening relaxation
- engaging guitar-driven explorations
- playful transitions between tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek straightforward, short tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked transition to mainstream recognition, following the success of Breezin'.
- Themes
- smooth jazz crossover· Latin rhythms· guitar virtuosity
- Career context
- Released in 1974, Bad Benson marked George Benson’s transition from a respected jazz guitarist to a mainstream pop and R&B star. This album followed his acclaimed release, Breezin', which had positioned him for broader commercial success, and showcased his growing versatility as both a guitarist and vocalist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Al Jarreau· Lee Ritenour· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 Take Five Start here 7:46
- 2 Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams 2:57
- 3 My Latin Brother 6:53
- 4 No Sooner Said Than Done 5:53
- 5 Full Compass 5:41
- 6 The Changing World 4:54
- 7 Take the "A" Train 4:14
- 8 Serbian Blue 12:37
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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