Customer Reviews

Breezin

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This reissued edition of George Benson's 1976 classic album "Breezin" has been augmented, not just by wonderful remastered sound, but the inclusion of worthy bonus material. George was able to crossover into the mainstream through this album and yet keep his jazz identity in tact. But, who knew he could sing as well?

The original album is pure aural joy from the "breezy" opening of the title track through the wistful ending of "Lady." "This Masquerade" became a classic and presented him to a whole new audience. "Six to Four" can still pull me out of a funky downer and have me tapping my feet, pen, pencil.... Affirmation is great during a Sunday morning "breakfast in bed."

Even if you own the previous CD issue of "Breezin," this new edition boasts wonderful remastered sound, new liner notes and two previously unreleased tracks. "Down Here on the Ground" is a real find giving George another chance to vocally enchant with a Stevie Wonder-like charm that many of today's male R&B singers and groups attempt, yet fail miserably to achieve. Also included are "Shark Bite", a funky instrumental that could be used in a 1970's "Lock, Stock" type movie or your Sunday morning "smooth jazz" music mix; and the edited 45rpm single version of "This Masqerade." The original album just ended too quickly. This new expanded edition seems just right!

George Benson's crowning achievement. Superb musicianship throughout by all the players. This record is eminently listenable, even danceable in spots, and the improvisation is tasteful and imaginative throughout.

There is no point in having a discussion about this record with snobby jazz purists. The don't get it, and never will. George Benson's reputation as a jazz AND pop guitarist of the highest calibre is set in stone and noone is going to change that.

This is a seminal album; one of the greatest jazz-pop records ever made, very influential, and aging very, very well.

This is George Benson's crowning achievement of his Jazz Career. It received the 1976 Grammy which it richly deserved. His Guitar playing on this is flawless and the only song that he sing's on this album is "This Masquerade" is outstanding. You can hear the emotion of not only his singing but the way he plays the guitar on this album. From "This Masquerade" to "Six to Four", "So this is Love" "Lady" and the other songs on here are a delight to listen to whether you are with the one you love, or traveling down the highway, this is the one album that all Jazz or Easy Listening fans should have. It is simply outstanding and stood the test of time in the best of ways..A pure delight to listen to!

This is still one of my favourite George Benson CDs. He won a 'Record of the Year' Grammy in 1976 for "This Masquerade" and rightly so. It's a fantastic vocal performance and the only vocal performance on this record.

He also won a 'Best Pop Instrumental Performance' Grammy that same year for "Breezin'" and this was the song I remember being all over the radio back then. But the guitar work on that particular song is nothing compared to what he throws down on the excellent (and proper jazz) songs, "Affirmation" and "So This Is Love?"

But those two are just my favourites. All six tunes are great and this is another of those CDs I put on repeat anytime I play it. One listen is very rarely ever enough. Great production by the celebrated Tommy LiPuma with the orchestra arranged and conducted by the equally legendary Claus Ogerman. It rarely gets any better.

If war or flooding (or something equally disastrous) was on its way and I had the opportunity to take 100 CDs from my collection before I fled, this would definitely be one of them.

This is the ultimate CD for relaxed, easy listening wherever you are whether surfing the web, doing chores or driving. Every track is pure gold but "BREEZIN'", "DOWN HERE ON THE GROUND" and "THIS MASQUERADE" showcase Benson's guitar magic to perfection. It's an instant Caribbean-vacation-in-a-disc, something you can listen to over and over again and never tire of its crisply-recorded perfection. Once you start playing it you'll never want to leave the beach and go home.

...and hasn't stopped since. There may have been other artists who broke ground first, but none of them kick-started the genre like "Breezin'" did. This landmark album not only gave birth to a new form of jazz, it continued jazz music's relevance decades after its birth. Much to the chagrin of purists. But whether they like it or not, it's here and it started here.

You can love George for his smooth, sometimes BB-King-style phrasing or you can hate him for taking the art out of jazz. But either way you cannot argue his command of the solo. No one understands the power of the solo better and it shows on this album and in all of his recordings. Quite simply put, he's my generation's version of Wes Montgomery (at least in my opinion).

Besides "This Masquerade" and the title track, "Lady" is an all-around well-crafted jazz song with pop stylings. He works well with the string orchestra--as he does in the other compositions on this album--and he never strays beyond what is needed.

But George's ride doesn't stop with this album...his next one "In Flight" continues the rise of smooth jazz (or the fall of jazz as art, some might say). And then of course "Weekend in LA" knocked the walls of jazz commercialism down to the ground.

Call it what you want, but this is nothing short of a breakthrough, pioneering effort by one of the best guitarists of the last half of the 20th century.

This was an original review by the 70s, how George recorded "Affirmation" on this great album:

Though Side One of Breezin' had the hits, Side Two was a creamy, seamless masterpiece unto itself. It unfolded with "Affirmation," a song composed by Jose Feliciano, the international superstar singer/guitarist/composer who had recorded it on his album, Just Wanna Rock 'N' Roll (RCA), from the fall of '75. "Affirmation" was the sole instrumental on that Feliciano LP, providing the blind Puerto Rican wunderkind a golden opportunity to showcase his skills on acoustic Spanish guitar, electric rhythm guitar (with a wah-wah effect), electric bass, congas and as a string arranger! LiPuma was enchanted with the melody of Feliciano's relatively brief (3:33) recording. When material was being prepared for Breezin', he presented it to Benson, who liked it immediately. The band worked up an arrangement that loosened and elongated the vibe of the original. Like Feliciano's version, George begins "Affirmation" alone, caressing an introduction of choice notes and a smooth rendering of its signature run down the frets. But when the rhythm section eases in, led by MacDonald's congas, the groove is more relaxed and funky in a way that is quite different from Feliciano's more insistent arrangement, which throbbed with forthright Latin pride. Where Feliciano had his rhythm section drop out for the soaring bridge, Benson's band rides it like the wind, drummer Mason liberating the rhythm by opening up on his cymbals. Benson tickles the strings with a tasty solo that leads into the killer breakdown section, with Upchurch dipping into his effects bag. And then, in what has to be one of the all-time classiest hand-offs in music, Benson makes way for Dalto's wistful electric piano (complete with soulful little comps) before Benson takes it home, getting in a few final signature licks. Benson's "Affirmation" is seven minutes of masterful musical heaven. Jose Feliciano also, re-recorded it in 1997 follow the Benson jazz arrangements

This album is simply great Music. I do not know why some people have to label everything. Whatever you call it, this material works, its is smooth, it is great to listen to. The very fact that this music is timeless, and it continues to sell is testimony to its quality. From the regular listener, to the top guitarist, they all can feel the quality in this album. Worth its weight in multi-platinum.

George Benson is definitely an amazing guitar player and also a gifted singer. The album Breezin', brought Benson's name into the mainstream for the first time, but he avoided really going pop. His playing and singing are very good here, some of his best work. I first heard George Benson on the Miles Davis track "Paraphernalia" from his album Miles In The Sky, and have enjoyed his guitar playing since. The songs all have a clear sound and a nice emotional feel, whether it is a slower song or a laid-back groove. The title really sums this up. It holds down a nice neutral ground between jazz and easy listening music (which is mostly horrible but Benson sounds good with it) and also includes some soul. There are also some interesting instruments show-cased here, like mini-moog synthesizers.

The album opens up with the title track, "Breezin'", which is an instant classic. There is a great groove on this song, the guitar playing by Benson is remarkably laid-back and great. The song also was a pretty successful hit. The first single from this album is the amazing "This Masquerade", which has Benson singing and playing guitar in one of his greatest songs ever. This track was a huge hit and opened many eyes. It's a ballad, and chances are you might've heard it before. "Six To Four" is a nice up-tempo song, with a mini-moog solo, but George holds his own on this song, and keeps up nicely. "Affirmation" is a classic song, with an exotic solo at the beginning by Benson. Definitely one of the best themes I've heard in a long time. A great tune. "So This Is Love" is a nice track with a great theme even though it does sound a little mainstream. The slick production is very nice and Benson plays some of his best licks here. The final song is the string-laced "Lady", which is another slower track. George plays beautiful guitar solos over this song and it sounds magnificent. A good way to end this classic album.

If you're into jazz guitar, George Benson, soul music, or anything similiar to that, get this album. A definite classic. One of Benson's better albums although this is certainly not his only classic work. I've heard he did a wonderful song with Miles Davis called "Ducks On The Pond" and I will have to check that out without a doubt. Get this album!

I was two years old when this album was released, but I remember loving it even then. My mom played (and replayed) it on her 8 track tape player. This album is why I love jazz today. Breezin is probably the most popular track and it's good, but I really like Affirmation and I love Lady (the way the guitar slowly starts). Plus, nothing compares to the emotional This Masquerade. George Benson sings as well as he plays. This is a must have album. Your only regret will be that you didn't experience it sooner.