Released 50 years ago
Good King Bad
George Benson · 1976
42 min · 7 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, blending intricate guitar work with smooth melodies and infectious rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Theme From Good King Bad Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its catchy melody and intricate guitar lines, highlighting Benson's exceptional musicianship.
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One Rock Don't Make No Boulder — This track features a compelling groove and lyrics that explore themes of resilience, making it a standout representation of Benson's lyrical depth alongside his musical prowess.
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Hold On, I'm Comin' — A dynamic cover that showcases Benson's ability to reinterpret classic soul material through his unique vocal style and signature guitar playing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and funk effectively, featuring strong guitar work and varied tempos but lacks a cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a prominent guitar solo layered over a tight rhythm section, establishing its funk-jazz fusion immediately.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal arrangements, enhancing the dynamic interaction between instruments and vocals.
- 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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5/10
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
- steady mid-tempo groove
- intricate guitar work appreciation
- soulful melodies for relaxation
- in-order listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in his catalog that showcases his jazz-funk fusion without being a standout.
- Themes
- smooth jazz grooves· 1970s funk fusion· soulful R&B reinterpretation
- Career context
- By 1976, George Benson was transitioning from being primarily a jazz guitarist to a mainstream pop and R&B artist. 'Good King Bad' followed the commercial success of his breakthrough album 'Breezin'' in 1976, showcasing his versatility and appeal across genres while establishing him as a leading figure in the smooth jazz movement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Al Jarreau· Lee Ritenour· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 Theme From Good King Bad Start here 5:58
- 2 One Rock Don't Make No Boulder 7:05
- 3 Em 4:55
- 4 Cast Your Fate To The Wind 6:53
- 5 Siberian Workout 6:39
- 6 Shell Of A Man 5:08
- 7 Hold On, I'm Comin' 5:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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