rockofallages81-tvgda

Time for some more jazz fusion. Breezin’ by singer and guitarist George Benson was released in March 1976. The album went to #1 on the Billboard 200, became certified triple platinum in the U.S., had a hit single, and won two Grammy Awards. It lost Album of the Year to Songs In The Key Of Life, but it still won Record of the Year. The winning song was the aforementioned hit single: a Leon Russell cover called “This Masquerade.” It’s the only song on the album with lyrics. It’s good, but it sounds like somebody left the click track on.
Actually, out of the album’s six tracks, only one (“So This Is Love?”) was written by George himself. Two songs – “Six To Four” and “Lady” – were written by other musicians who played on the album. That means half of Breezin’ is comprised of covers. In addition to “This Masquerade,” there is also “Affirmation” by José Feliciano. The title track itself is a cover too. It was written by Bobby Womack, which he recorded in the early Seventies with Hungarian jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó. That version was produced by one Tommy LiPuma, who also produced George’s cover and entire album.
I couldn’t tell you why jazz fusion was getting played on rock stations, but I still enjoyed this record, so I won’t complain.