Breezin'
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| Breezin' | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 19, 1976[1] | |||
| Recorded | January 6–8, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Capitol (Hollywood) | |||
| Genre | Smooth jazz | |||
| Length | 38:42 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Producer | Tommy LiPuma | |||
| George Benson chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Breezin' | ||||
| ||||
Breezin' is the fifteenth studio album by jazz/soul guitarist and vocalist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records. It not only was a Billboard Jazz Albums chart-topper but also went to number 1 on the Pop and R&B charts. It was certified triple platinum, making it one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.
Commercial performance
[edit]Breezin' marked the beginning of Benson's most successful period commercially, topping the Billboard Pop, Jazz and R&B album charts.[2] It 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.[3] The album has since been certified as 3× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA.[4]
The album garnered multiple nominations and awards 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.[5]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C[8] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | |
In a contemporaneous review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a "C" and dismissed most of its music as "mush".[9] In a retrospective review, Allmusic's Richard S. Ginell gave it three-and-a-half out of five stars and said that, although Benson's guitar is "as assured and fluid as ever", Breezin' is "really not so much a breakthrough as it is a transition album; the guitar is still the core of his identity".[6] A more recent review (2023), on the Best of Jazz website, was more generous. It stated "Breezin’ is one of the best albums for Benson. This 70’s masterpiece gave [him] true popularity."
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Breezin'" | Bobby Womack | 5:40 |
| 2. | "This Masquerade" | Leon Russell | 8:03 |
| 3. | "Six to Four" | Phil Upchurch | 5:06 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Affirmation" | José Feliciano | 7:01 |
| 2. | "So This Is Love?" | George Benson | 7:03 |
| 3. | "Lady" | Ronnie Foster | 5:49 |
Personnel
[edit]- George Benson – guitar, vocals
- Jorge Dalto – acoustic piano, clavinet, acoustic piano solo (2)
- Ronnie Foster – electric piano, Minimoog, Minimoog solo (3), electric piano solo (5)
- Phil Upchurch – rhythm guitar, bass guitar (1, 3)
- Stanley Banks – bass guitar (2, 4–6)
- Harvey Mason – drums
- Ralph MacDonald – percussion
- Claus Ogerman – arrangements and conductor
Production
[edit]- 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
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications and sales
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[21] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
| Japan | — | 43,090[22] |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[23] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[24] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Album Picks" (PDF). WorldRadioHistory.com. Record World. 3 April 1976. p. 16. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ Breezin' Billboard Albums at AllMusic
- ^ Breezin' Billboard Singles at AllMusic
- ^ "American album certifications – George Benson – Breezin". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Past Winners Search | GRAMMY.com – 1976". grammy.com. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ a b Ginell, Richard S.. Breezin' - George Benson at AllMusic. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (9th ed.). London: Penguin. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-14-103401-0.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: B". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (14 June 1976). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 4295a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Charts.nz – George Benson – Breezin'". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "George Benson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "George Benson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "George Benson Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 5175". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1977 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1978 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "British album certifications – George Benson – Breezin'". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 December 2021. Select albums in the Formats field. Type Breezin' George Benson in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American album certifications – George Benson – Breezin'". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
External links
[edit]Breezin'
View on GrokipediaBackground and Development
Album Concept
Breezin' represents George Benson's deliberate pivot toward a more accessible form of jazz, blending instrumental prowess with prominent vocals to achieve broader commercial appeal after a series of instrumental-focused albums under producer Creed Taylor at CTI Records, such as Supership (1975), which highlighted his evolving fusion style.[7] Benson sought to infuse his jazz foundation with soul and R&B elements, drawing inspiration from artists like Bobby Womack and Leon Russell, whose songwriting and rhythmic grooves influenced the album's relaxed, crossover-oriented sound.[5] This vision aimed to transcend traditional jazz audiences, mirroring Benson's admiration for successful crossover figures who bridged genres for mainstream success.[7] Central to the album's concept were late 1975 discussions between Benson and producer Tommy LiPuma, who encouraged a departure from jazz purism toward pop-jazz fusion, emphasizing vocal performances to enhance emotional depth and marketability.[5] LiPuma's guidance helped Benson craft an album that balanced sophisticated improvisation with melodic hooks, reflecting a strategic intent to make jazz more inviting to pop and R&B listeners without diluting its improvisational core.[7] The title track, "Breezin'," encapsulates this ethos as a metaphor for effortless musicianship, capturing a breezy, unforced vibe that symbolizes the album's overall smooth fusion of jazz virtuosity and popular sensibility, inspired by Womack's original composition but reimagined for Benson's guitar-driven interpretation.[5]Transition to Warner Bros.
In 1975, George Benson left CTI Records due to creative differences, seeking greater artistic freedom, and amid the label's financial instability, which involved mounting debts and a protracted contract dispute with founder Creed Taylor that lasted nearly a decade.[8][9] This departure paved the way for Benson to sign with Warner Bros. Records in late 1975, positioning Breezin' as his debut album on the new label.[10] The negotiations for the Warner Bros. deal were bolstered by Benson's surging popularity that year, driven by the success of his single "Supership" from the CTI album Supership, which reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart and gained traction on European dance floors despite modest U.S. performance at No. 98 on the R&B chart.[11] His 1975 live performances, including a notable Carnegie Hall concert, further amplified his visibility and appeal, attracting major-label interest.[12] Warner Bros. provided Benson with substantial advantages over CTI, including a significantly larger promotional budget and enhanced global distribution capabilities, which were instrumental in elevating Breezin' to platinum certification upon release.[8] The producer Tommy LiPuma facilitated a smooth transition by helming the album's production under the new label.[13]Recording and Production
Studio Sessions
The recording sessions for Breezin' occurred over a remarkably concise three-day period, from January 6 to 8, 1976, at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California.[14][15] This accelerated timeline was intentional, designed to preserve a vibrant, live-band atmosphere by minimizing studio artifice and capturing the musicians' natural interplay in real time.[15] The core ensemble, including drummer Harvey Mason positioned centrally in the studio for optimal acoustic balance, set up to perform as a cohesive unit, with minimal adjustments between takes.[15] Benson and the band approached the sessions with limited in-studio rehearsal, relying on prior pre-production preparation to foster spontaneity while prioritizing first-take performances to retain the raw energy of jazz improvisation.[5][15] Indeed, five of the album's six tracks were completed on the initial run-through, including the title track "Breezin'," which Benson recorded live in one complete cut using his Gibson Johnny Smith guitar.[16][15] Overdubs were kept to a minimum, focusing primarily on vocals—such as the single-take lead on "This Masquerade," as insisted by producer Tommy LiPuma—and horn or string enhancements added later.[15] The sessions' efficiency stemmed from LiPuma's precise direction, which emphasized quick execution and real-time creativity, allowing Benson's guitar lines to emerge organically alongside the rhythm section.[5][17] Engineer Al Schmitt managed the technical aspects, utilizing simple microphone setups like the Electro-Voice EV666 for vocals to maintain clarity and immediacy.[15] This streamlined process not only wrapped the basic tracks swiftly but also contributed to the album's enduring sense of effortless groove and vitality.Technical Team
The production of Breezin' was led by Tommy LiPuma as the primary producer, who provided overall artistic vision and direction for the album, guiding George Benson toward a fusion of jazz, soul, and pop elements that defined its smooth sound.[5] Noel Newbolt served as associate producer, handling session coordination and logistical support to ensure efficient workflow during the January 1976 recordings at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.[18] Recording and mixing were overseen by renowned engineer Al Schmitt at Capitol Studios, where he captured the album's warm, intimate tones using a 24-track recorder on two-inch tape, enabling detailed layering of horn sections and rhythmic elements for enhanced depth and clarity.[19][4] Assisting Schmitt was Don Henderson, who supported on-site engineering tasks. The sessions emphasized Benson's guitar tone, achieved through a Polytone amplifier that delivered the clean, woody jazz sound signature to tracks like the title song.[3] Final mastering was performed by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles, refining the mix for optimal dynamic range and vinyl playback.[18] These technical efforts contributed to Breezin' winning the Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards in 1977, recognizing Schmitt's engineering prowess.[20]Musical Content
Track Listing
Breezin' was originally released on vinyl as a double-sided LP by Warner Bros. Records in 1976.[21]Side one
- "Breezin'" (Bobby Womack) – 5:40[21]
- "This Masquerade" (Leon Russell) – 8:03[21]
- "Six to Four" (Phil Upchurch) – 5:06[21]
Side two
- "Affirmation" (José Feliciano) – 7:01[21]
- "So This Is Love?" (George Benson) – 7:03[21]
- "Lady" (Ronnie Foster) – 5:49[21]
Composition and Style
Breezin' represents a pinnacle of smooth jazz fusion, seamlessly blending pop and R&B elements to achieve broad crossover appeal while retaining core jazz sensibilities. George Benson's distinctive scat vocals—often weaving melodic lines that mimic his guitar phrasing—and his fluid, lyrical guitar solos serve as hallmarks of the album's sound, rooted in his bebop heritage yet infused with contemporary soul grooves, such as those evident in Bobby Womack's rhythmic contributions.[5][23] The album comprises six tracks, each penned by a different composer, fostering a varied palette of moods that underscores its smooth jazz identity through lush arrangements by Claus Ogerman, which incorporate orchestral strings to enhance the melodic flow without overpowering Benson's improvisational flair.[2][5] The instrumental title track, "Breezin'," opens the album with a light, airy groove that epitomizes its namesake, featuring Benson's warm, cascading guitar lines over a laid-back rhythm section supported by Womack on rhythm guitar, evoking a sense of effortless propulsion and melodic invention.[5] In juxtaposition, "This Masquerade," composed by Leon Russell, unfolds as an emotive ballad where Benson's velvety vocals convey introspective longing, complemented by his intricate, bebop-inflected guitar fills that add layers of emotional depth and harmonic sophistication.[5][2] Further diversifying the collection, "Affirmation," an upbeat number originally by José Feliciano, injects Latin-jazz vitality through its syncopated rhythms and vibrant interplay between Benson's agile guitar and Ogerman's string accents, creating a celebratory fusion of cultural influences.[24] Benson's own composition, "So This Is Love?," delves into romantic introspection with smooth, undulating melodies and his signature vocal-guitar synergy, highlighting soulful phrasing that bridges jazz improvisation with accessible pop sentimentality.[25] The album's improvisational ethos, enabled by concise recording sessions relying on chord charts rather than rigid arrangements, allowed Benson and the ensemble to capture spontaneous energy, reinforcing the breezy, organic essence of its smooth jazz framework.[5]Release and Promotion
Initial Release
Breezin' was released on March 19, 1976, by Warner Bros. Records, marking George Benson's debut full-length album with the label and catalog number BS 2919 for the LP edition.[1][4] The album's packaging featured cover photography by Mario Casilli, capturing Benson in a relaxed, casual pose that emphasized his approachable persona. Design responsibilities were handled by Peter Palombi, with art direction provided by Ed Thrasher and Robert Lockhart, contributing to a sleek, jazz-infused aesthetic that aligned with the era's smooth fusion trends.[26][26] Distribution began with a primary focus on the U.S. market, followed by an international rollout that included releases in regions such as the UK and Europe later in 1976. Initial formats encompassed vinyl LPs and 8-track cartridges, catering to the dominant consumer preferences of the time, while a CD reissue emerged in 1986 to meet evolving playback demands.[27][28]Singles and Marketing
The lead single from Breezin', "This Masquerade", was released in 1976 and marked George Benson's breakthrough into mainstream audiences, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[29][30] The track's smooth jazz vocal interpretation, featuring Benson's signature scat singing over his guitar work, contributed to its broad appeal across genres. Its success culminated in a Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards in 1977, shared with producer Tommy LiPuma.[20] The title track "Breezin'" was released as the second single in 1976, peaking at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 43 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, and emerging as an enduring fusion standard due to its laid-back groove and instrumental showcase of Benson's guitar phrasing.[3] Benson's performance of the song highlighted the album's blend of jazz improvisation with pop accessibility, influencing subsequent fusion recordings. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.[6] Warner Bros. Records drove the album's visibility through an aggressive radio airplay campaign, targeting pop, R&B, and jazz stations to capitalize on Benson's crossover potential following his move from CTI Records.[1] This strategy was complemented by Benson's high-profile television appearances, including a notable 1976 performance of "Breezin'" with Carlos Santana on The Midnight Special, which exposed the album to a wider rock and fusion audience. Promotional efforts also integrated tour tie-ins, with Benson embarking on live shows starting in spring 1976 to sustain momentum from the singles' radio success. The Grammy win for "This Masquerade" further amplified marketing, prompting additional media pushes and extending the album's promotional cycle into 1977.[6]Commercial Performance
Chart Achievements
Breezin' achieved significant commercial success upon its release, topping multiple Billboard charts in the United States. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 for two weeks beginning in late July 1976.[31] It also peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the Billboard Jazz Albums chart during the same period.[32] Internationally, the album attained a peak position of number 9 on the RPM Top Albums chart in Canada and number 9 on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums chart.[33][34] In year-end rankings, Breezin' placed at number 19 on the Billboard 200 for 1976 and number 69 on the RPM year-end Top Albums chart in Canada.[35][36] The album continued to chart strongly into subsequent years, reaching number 26 on the Billboard 200 year-end list for 1977 and number 33 on the New Zealand year-end albums chart for 1977, followed by number 35 in New Zealand for 1978.[34] The album's singles also performed well on the charts. "This Masquerade" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1976.[29][37] The title track "Breezin'" reached number 1 on the Billboard Jazz Singles chart.[1] The Grammy win for "This Masquerade" in 1977 further extended the album's chart longevity across jazz and pop formats.Sales Certifications
In the United States, Breezin' was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of 3,000,000 units.[38] In Canada, it was certified Gold by Music Canada for 50,000 units in 1977.[34] Internationally, the album received 2× Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for 140,000 units.[34] In the United Kingdom, it earned a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for 60,000 units.[34] Japan reported sales of 43,090 units according to Oricon charts, though no formal certification was issued.[34] By the 1980s, Breezin' had sold over 4 million copies worldwide.[39]| Country | Certification | Units Sold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3× Platinum (RIAA) | 3,000,000 | RIAA via Rhino Records [38] |
| Canada | Gold (Music Canada) | 50,000 | Music Canada via BestSellingAlbums.org [34] |
| Australia | 2× Platinum (ARIA) | 140,000 | ARIA via BestSellingAlbums.org [34] |
| United Kingdom | Silver (BPI) | 60,000 | BPI via BestSellingAlbums.org [34] |
| Japan | None (Oricon sales) | 43,090 | Oricon via BestSellingAlbums.org [34] |