George Benson - Good King Bad (1975)

Theme from Good King Bad (6:03)

One Rock Don't Make No Boulder (6:50)

Em (4:56)

Cast Your Fate to the Wind (7:00)

Siberian Workout (6:45)

Shell of a Man (5:17)

Hold On! I'm Comin' (5:44).

George Benson (Guitar)(Vocals) Michael Brecker (Sax (Tenor) Ronnie Cuber (Saxophone)(Sax (Baritone) Ronnie Foster (Keyboards) Don Grolnick (Keyboards)(Clavinet) Bobby Lyle (Keyboards) David Sanborn (Sax (Alto) David Friedman (Percussion)(Vibraphone) Phil Upchurch (Guitar) David Nadien (Violin) Sue Evans (Percussion) David Matthews (Arranger)(Conductor) Randy Becker (Trumpet) Cliff Carter (Keyboards) Harold Coletta (Viola) Dennis Davis (Bass)(Drums) Max Ellen (Violin) Joe Farrell (Flute) Steve Gadd (Drums)

Eric Gale (Guitar) RudyVan Gelder (Engineer) Paul Gershman (Violin) Harry Glickman (Violin) Emanuel Green (Violin) Roland Hanna (Keyboards) Theodore Israel (Viola) Gary King (Bass) Harold Kohon (Violin) Charles McCracken (Cello) Andy Newmark (Drums) Romeo Penque (Flute) John Pintavalle (Violin) Max Pollikoff (Violin) Alan Shulman (Cello) Creed Taylor (Producer) David Tofani (Flute) Frank Vicari (Sax (Tenor) Fred Wesley (Trombone) Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. (Bass).

The R&B elements get stronger, the sound and mix are more attuned to the dancefloor, yet this brings out the best in George Benson's funky side. Thanks in part to the more rigid beat, Benson pares down his style to its rhythmic essentials, refusing to spray notes all over the place at random, and as a result, the record cooks and dances. His treatment of Vince Guaraldi's "Cast Your Fate to the Wind," hugely complemented by Joe Farrell's wistfully prancing flute, is a mini-masterpiece in the use of space, of hitting exactly the right stabbing note right in the pocket. Again, Creed Taylor turns to a James Brown alumnus, David Matthews, for arrangements, and he discreetly and wisely stays out of Bad George's way. Buy this one for "Cast Your Fate," but there is plenty more to savor here (the CD also includes "Hold On, I'm Comin'" as a bonus). ~ Richard S. Ginell, Rovi.