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.

George Benson-Weekend in L.A. (1977)

With one of the most iconic covers in the world of jazz and pop, George Benson published his second live show "Weekend in L.A." in 1977, shortly after having published his sixteenth studio album "In Flight" where he was already beginning to dazzle the directions where his career was leading from here, with a jazz with pop influences, without forgetting his dabbling in funk and soul.
By the time this album was released, Benson had been releasing records for fourteen years since making his debut with "The New Boss Guitar Of George Benson" in 1964.
Influenced by guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Benson would start with instrumental records oriented to jazz, swing and even R&B where his peculiar way of playing the guitar made him famous, even winning several Grammy Awards (ten in total) throughout his career.
Outstanding works such as "Beyond the Blue Horizon", "White Rabbit" both from 1971, or the successful "Breezin" (1976), "Living´Inside Your Love" (1979), or "Give Me The Night" (1980) cataloged it as one of the best jazz instrumentalists.
"Weekend in L.A." it was recorded entirely at the West Hollywood Roxy in Los Angeles, making it his best known and most legendary live album.
With a very varied repertoire where you can hear his eclectic style ranging from instrumental "California P.M." or "The Greatest Love Of All", until the famous "On Broadway" that appeared in the mythical movie "All That Jazz", going through more mainstream songs like "Lady Blue", cuts in the purest smooth jazz style "Windsong" or purely jazz songs "We As love".

George Benson-Breezin' (1976)

"Breezin'" was George Benson's first album for Warner to reach number one on the pop, jazz, and rhythm and blues charts. Released in 1976, "Breezin'" was chronologically his fifteenth album, a release that brought George Benson true worldwide fame. Here, the guitarist cleverly fused his signature rhythm and blues style with funk, jazz fusion, and mainstream music. Certified multi-platinum and winner of the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance, this is one of the most successful jazz albums of all time. The group that accompanied Benson on this album consisted of Ronnie Foster (keyboards), Harvey Mason (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion), Jorge Dalto (piano), Phil Upchurch (rhythm guitar), and Claus Ogerman (orchestral arrangements). The entire album is a true instrumental delight, with a repertoire made up of catchy smooth jazz songs like the title track, or the seductive "The Masquerade", "Six To Four", "Affirmation", "Lady" and "So This Is Love".