George Benson-White Rabbit (1972)

Throughout his long career, George Benson embraced various jazz-derived styles, influenced by the late Wes Montgomery. He began playing instrumental jazz and later dabbled in jazz fusion and accessible, commercial jazz pop/soul, after a period of swing, bebop, and hard bop. In 1972, Benson released his second album for the CTI label and the eleventh of his solo career. Titled "White Rabbit", this release features a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Earl Klugh, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, and Airto Moreira. Composed of covers, the album is notable for its string and brass arrangements, primarily due to the contributions of arranger Don Sebesky, as well as its brilliant production, where all the instruments sound warm with a Mediterranean flavor and Spanish and Latin influences. These Latin influences are present in Jefferson Starship's version of "White Rabbit" or in the light, flamenco-tinged "Summer of '42". On the other hand, The Mamas and The Papas' magnificent version of "California Dreamin'" or the expansive "El Mar" also have a strong Spanish influence, sometimes even bearing certain similarities to the famous piece from Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.