New Boss Guitar of George Benson

Personnel: George Benson (guitar); Red Holloway (tenor saxophone); Jack McDuff (piano, organ); Ronnie Boykins (bass); Montego Joe, Joe Dukes (drums).
Recorded in New York, New York on May 1, 1964. Originally released on Prestige (7310).
Digially remastered by Phil De Lancie (1990, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley).
On this 1964 Prestige solo debut by George Benson, the revered guitarist enlists the support of his mentor, organ legend Jack McDuff, for a set of vintage soul jazz. Benson, only 21 years old at the time of the recording, clearly reveals the influences of Wes Montgomery and Charlie Christian in his dexterous playing. Even at this early stage, however, the young six-stringer displays a lyricism that's all his own, as best revealed on the groove-laden "Sweet Alice Blues" and the simmering "I Don't Know." While McDuff graciously tones down his formidable key work to let his star pupil shine, saxophonist Red Holloway has no problem with making the occasional attempt (though rarely succeeding) to steal Benson's thunder, as on the shuffling opener, "Shadow Dancers." A far cry from Benson's later R&B/pop work ("Gimme the Night," etc.), the material on NEW BOSS GUITAR is soul-tinged bop at its finest, and a key album in Benson's remarkably long and varied career.