Shape of Things to Come
George Benson · 1968
33 min · 7 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of jazz, funk, and pop that showcases Benson's virtuoso guitar work and smooth vocal stylings.
Top tracks — play these first
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Footin' It Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Shape of Things to Come — The title track encapsulates the album's experimental spirit with its intricate guitar solos and forward-thinking arrangement, reflecting Benson's artistic vision.
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Last Train to Clarksville — As a cover of The Monkees' hit, this track highlights Benson’s ability to reinterpret popular songs through a jazz lens, showcasing his unique style.
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Don't Let Me Lose This Dream — This track stands out for its emotional depth and compelling melody, demonstrating Benson's vocal prowess alongside his instrumental skills.
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 with strong guitar work but lacks deep cohesion and lasting impact.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature prominent guitar solos that showcase Benson's technical skill, particularly in 'Shape of Things to Come' and 'Last Train to Clarksville.'
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- vibrant energy for social gatherings
- smooth transitions between tracks
- ear-catching melodies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer abrupt, energetic shifts
- seek complex narrative structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped solidify Benson's presence in popular music with a hit single.
- Themes
- transformative jazz fusion· soulful vocal expressions· 1960s pop reinterpretation
- Career context
- Released in 1968, Shape of Things to Come was George Benson's fourth studio album and marked a key period of growth. At this time, he transitioned from his roots in jazz to a more diverse sound that incorporated elements of pop and rhythm and blues, setting the stage for his later commercial success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Al Jarreau· Lee Ritenour· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 Footin' It Start here 4:26
- 2 Face It Boy, It's Over 4:08
- 3 Shape of Things to Come 5:17
- 4 Chatanooga Choo Choo 3:36
- 5 Don't Let Me Lose This Dream 4:43
- 6 Shape of Things That Are and Were 5:48
- 7 Last Train to Clarksville 5:36
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Merges funk and jazz with soulful grooves, echoing a vibrant, transformative sound.
Can't Buy a Thrill
Steely Dan
Blends jazz-influenced pop with smooth vocals and intricate instrumentation from the same era.
Look to the Rainbow
Al Jarreau
Features soulful vocal expressions and a fusion of jazz and pop that resonates with Benson's style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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