GEORGE BENSON — Beyond the Blue Horizon (review)

GEORGE BENSON — Beyond the Blue Horizon album cover Album · 1971 · Soul Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
Benson leads a great quartet through a selection of covers and originals in true CTI fashion.

As ever Benson's guitar is at the heart of this one, which has him taking the majority of lead duties, on a Miles Davis cover, a song from a Hollywood soundtrack and a few originals. He's backed by Carter and DeJohnette, who are, pleasingly, given free reign. DeJohnette keeps things interesting and Carter plays low on the neck of his double bass for much of the album, creating a nice mix of rhythm and lead playing. Clarence Palmer's organ also features on 'Beyond the Blue Horizon' which gives the session a slightly blues feel, especially on the cover of 'The Gentle Rain.'

'So What' seems to be the only misstep - while the reinterpretation undoubtedly deserves credit (some of it is wonderfully frantic) it simply sounds too jumbled and doesn't quite hit the spot. It's probably the shorter pieces that work best, with 'All Clear' having a laid back signature riff with a blues/jazz feel. The most satisfying piece on the record is the sublime 'Ode to a Kudu' - which is basically a long solo subtly enhanced by the rest of the quartet. Beautiful.

Closing the album is 'Somewhere in the East' which is a little more experimental, featuring African inspired percussion and an often sparse arrangement, it's not too long after it builds up to some jangling guitar from Benson before falling in intensity again. Fans of Benson or CIT should not pass this up. Four stars.

The reissue includes alternate takes of 'All Clear' 'Ode to a Kudu' and 'Somewhere in the East' which are all fairly different in rhythm from their LP counterparts, and make this one from Benson really worthwhile.
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