Breezin’ is the fifteenth studio album by jazz/soul guitarist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records. Released in May 1976.
George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 21 as a jazz guitarist.
The album marked the beginning of Benson’s most successful period commercially. Breezin’ topped the Pop, Jazz and R&B album charts in Billboard and spun off two hit singles, the title song (which has become a fusion jazz standard) and “This Masquerade,” which was a top ten pop and R&B hit. The album itself was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.
The album won multiple prizes at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards. The album won the awards Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Benson and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for Al Schmitt and was nominated as Album of the Year for Tommy LiPuma and Benson. “This Masquerade” received the award Record of the Year for LiPuma and Benson, while it was nominated as Song of the Year for Leon Russell and as Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for Benson.
1. “Breezin'” 5:40
2. “This Masquerade” 8:03
3. “Six to Four” 5:06
4. “Affirmation” 7:01
5. “So This is Love?” 7:03
6. “Lady” 5:49
George Benson – guitar, vocals
Jorge Dalto – acoustic piano, clavinet, acoustic piano solo (2)
Ronnie Foster – electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer, Minimoog solo (3), electric piano solo (5)
Phil Upchurch – rhythm guitar, bass (1, 3)
Stanley Banks – bass (2, 4, 5, 6)
Harvey Mason – drums
Ralph MacDonald – percussion
Claus Ogerman – arrangements and conductor
Tommy LiPuma – producer
Noel Newbolt – associate producer
Al Schmitt – recording, mixing
Don Henderson – assistant engineer
Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California).
Ed Thrasher – art direction
Robert Lockhart – art direction
Peter Palombi – design
Mario Casilli – photography
George Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 21 as a jazz guitarist. Benson uses a rest-stroke picking technique similar to that of gypsy jazz players such as Django Reinhardt.
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