Absolute Benson
George Benson
Verve
Records
1. The
Ghetto
2. El Barrio
3. Jazzenco
4. Deeper Than You Think
5. One On One
6. Hipping The Hop
7. Lately
8. Come Back Baby
9. Medicine Man
George
Benson Guitar, Vocal
Joe Sample Piano, Organ, Synthesizer
Carlos Henriquez Bass
Christian McBride Bass, Synthesizer
Vidal Davis Drums
Steve Gadd Drums
Cindy Blackman Drums
Luis Conte Congas, Percussion, Timbales
Luisito Quintero Percussion
Ricky Petersen Organ
Lisa Fischer Vocal
India Vocal
Roy Ayers Vocal
Richard Shade Vocal
Claudia AcuñaVocal
Tommy LiPuma Producer
Al Schmitt Engineer
Absolute Benson Catalog #3145435862
enhanced cd, cassette release date 5/23/2000 GRP Records
With over forty years as an esteemed recording artist and entertainer, George Benson has become a true legend of our time. Continually progressing as both guitarist and vocalist, Benson's lasting success is perhaps best explained by his ability to invent fresh and creative ways to communicate his distinctive musical voice. Absolute Benson is the newest chapter of this illustrious career and in a sense, a return to his beginnings. Primarily instrumental, (only three vocal tracks), it focuses on Benson's noteworthy guitar virtuosity in a modernized acoustic quartet setting. With the exception of the opening tracks "The Ghetto" and "El Barrio", which are collaborations with the Masters at Work production gurus who bring energized latin flavored percussive dance arrangements to a Donnie Hathaway classic, Absolute Benson is filled with George's signature guitar style and emotionally charged lyricism.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma.
Tracks 3-10 recorded May 1999 by Al Schmitt, At Clinton Recording (StudioA),
New York. Additional recording by Al Schmitt and Elliot Schreiner at
Clinton Recording and the Power Station, New York.
Assistant engineers: Mark Fraunfelder, Alan Moon, and Aya Takemura
Strings on "Lately" recorded by James Farber at Sound On Sound Studio,
New York Strings on "Lately" arranged by Arif Mardin. All Synthesizers
overdubs recorded at Master Mix Studios, Minneapolis, MN. Synthesizers
arranged by Ricky Peterson and Joe Sample Tracks 1 and 2 recorded by
Jon Fausty and Steve Barkan at Platinum Audio, New York. Mixed by Steve
Barkan at Platinum Audio, New York. Assistant engineer: Kayo Teremoto.
Mixed December 1999 by Bill Schnee, at Schnee Studios, N. Hollywood.
Assistant engineer: Koji Egawa Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering
Lab, Holywood, CA