Standing Together
George Benson · 1998
44 min · 9 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of smooth jazz and funk, infused with soulful melodies and intricate guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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C-Smooth Start here — This opening track combines infectious grooves with Benson's signature guitar licks, setting a vibrant tone for the entire album.
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Standing Together — The title track encapsulates the album’s themes of unity and connection, highlighted by its uplifting melody and lyrical positivity.
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Poquito Spanish, Poquito Funk — This track showcases Benson's playful fusion of Latin rhythms and funk elements, demonstrating his versatility as both a guitarist and vocalist.
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Fly by Night — A smooth ballad that highlights Benson's expressive vocal delivery and intricate guitar solos, capturing the essence of his artistic style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends smooth jazz and funk with solid musicianship but lacks standout compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong groove on 'C-Smooth', featuring intricate guitar riffs layered over a steady rhythm section.
- Several tracks, such as 'Poquito Spanish, Poquito Funk', incorporate Latin-inspired rhythms that add variety to the overall sound.
- The final track, 'Keep Rollin'', features an extended instrumental section that showcases Benson's guitar work and allows for improvisation.
- 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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5/10
- 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 groove for relaxed moments
- vibrant background for gatherings
- soulful melodies for easy listening
- smooth transitions between tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy intensity
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and evolution in Benson's sound after his peak years.
- Themes
- musical unity· smooth jazz grooves· resilient spirit
- Career context
- By the time 'Standing Together' was released in 1998, George Benson was an established artist known for his guitar prowess and smooth vocal style. This album came after his commercial peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, during a phase where he continued to explore diverse musical styles within the realms of jazz and R&B.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Al Jarreau· Lee Ritenour· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 C-Smooth Start here 5:55
- 2 Standing Together 4:09
- 3 All I Know 4:37
- 4 Cruise Control 5:09
- 5 Poquito Spanish, Poquito Funk 5:17
- 6 Still Waters 4:37
- 7 Fly by Night 4:53
- 8 Back to Love 4:40
- 9 Keep Rollin' 5:04
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Merges jazz and funk with vibrant grooves and an optimistic spirit, sharing a smooth sonic palette.
I Feel for You
Chaka Khan
Combines R&B and funk with soulful vocals, echoing themes of resilience and musical unity.
Midnight Love
Marvin Gaye
Blends smooth jazz influences with soulful melodies, reflecting a similar late-night listening vibe.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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