egroj world: George Benson - Earl Klugh • Collaboration

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

George Benson - Earl Klugh • Collaboration

Review
by Richard S. Ginell
George Benson rebels against the machine and comes out with an all-instrumental album, his first in 11 years and also his first full teaming with onetime protégé, acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh. Klugh sounds much more mature and forthcoming here than he did as a teenager in Benson's CTI days. Yet Benson still blows him away with his effortless swing, endless invention (within the constraints of the carefully controlled arrangements, however) and totally assured placement of the notes. "Mimosa" has some especially fluid work by Benson, with Klugh serving as an effective foil. The backing is mostly an electronic wash, though underpinned by solid funk support from former Benson bandmembers Harvey Mason and Paulinho Da Costa. The biggest hang-up are the so-so tunes, which both guitarists gratefully transcend whenever they solo. While Collaboration disappointed many guitar fans back in 1987 who were hoping for a more energetic session, time has underlined and strengthened its musical virtues.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/collaboration-mw0000191509

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Reseña
por Richard S. Ginell
George Benson se rebela contra la máquina y sale con un álbum totalmente instrumental, su primero en 11 años y también su primer equipo completo con su antiguo protegido, el guitarrista acústico Earl Klugh. Klugh suena aquí mucho más maduro y comunicativo que cuando era un adolescente en los días de CTI de Benson. Sin embargo, Benson sigue dejándole boquiabierto con su swing sin esfuerzo, su invención sin fin (dentro de las limitaciones de los arreglos cuidadosamente controlados, sin embargo) y la colocación totalmente segura de las notas. "Mimosa" tiene un trabajo especialmente fluido por parte de Benson, con Klugh sirviendo como un papel eficaz. El acompañamiento es principalmente un lavado electrónico, aunque apuntalado por el sólido apoyo funk de los antiguos miembros de la banda de Benson, Harvey Mason y Paulinho Da Costa. El mayor inconveniente son las melodías, que ambos guitarristas superan con gratitud cada vez que tocan en solitario. Aunque Collaboration decepcionó a muchos fans de la guitarra en 1987 que esperaban una sesión más enérgica, el tiempo ha subrayado y reforzado sus virtudes musicales.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/collaboration-mw0000191509

Tracks:
1 - Mt. Airy Road
Arranged By [Rhythm Tracks, Synthesizers] – Marcus Miller
Arranged By [Strings] – Marty Paich
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Jason Miles
Written-By – Marcus Miller 7:51
2 - Mimosa
Programmed By [Synthesizers], Arranged By [Horns] – Larry Williams
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Synthesizers] – Greg Phillinganes
Written-By – George Benson 6:50
3 - Brazilian Stomp
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Larry Williams
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Synthesizers] – Greg Phillinganes
Written-By – Earl Klugh 5:33
4 - Dreamin'
Arranged By [Rhythm tracks, Synthesizers] – Marcus Miller
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Jason Miles
Written-By – Marcus Miller 5:49
5 - Since You're Gone
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Larry Williams
Synthesizer [Strings], Programmed By [Synthesizer], Arranged By [Synthesizer] – James Newton Howard
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Greg Phillinganes
Written-By – Earl Klugh 5:46
6 - Collaboration
Arranged By [Original Rhythm track] – Marcus (The Groove Setter) Miller*
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Larry Williams
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Greg Phillinganes
Written-By – Harvey Mason, Randy Goodrum 6:16
7 - Jamaica
Arranged By [Rhythm tracks] – Randy Goodrum
Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Greg Phillinganes
Drum Programming [Linn Drum] – Jimmy Bralower
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Larry Williams
Synthesizer [Strings], Arranged By [Synthesizer] – James Newton Howard
Written-By – Randy Goodrum 5:40
8 - Love Theme From "Romeo & Juliet"
Bass [Upright] – Charles Domanico*
Composed By – Nino Rota
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – James Newton Howard 5:47

Credits:
    Art Direction, Design – Laura LiPuma
    Bass – Marcus Miller
    Classical Guitar – Earl Klugh
    Coordinator [Production] – Rosemary Diminno
    Drums – Harvey Mason
    Electric Guitar – George Benson
    Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes
    Mastered By – Doug Sax
    Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
    Photography By – Stuart Watson
    Producer – Tommy LiPuma
    Recorded By, Mixed By – Bill Schnee
    Rhythm Guitar – Paul Jackson

Label:    Warner Bros. Records – 9 25580-2
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/1537437-George-Benson-Earl-Klugh-Collaboration