George Benson – White Rabbit

“White Rabbit” is an artistically sophisticated album that combines orchestral jazz arrangements with modern elements. It showcases George Benson’s technical finesse on the guitar as well as his versatility, which later made him one of the most successful jazz and soul artists.

The title track “White Rabbit” is a jazz interpretation of the song by Jefferson Airplane and gives the album a psychedelic touch.

The album blends Latin jazz, fusion, and soul jazz with orchestral arrangements that are characteristic of CTI Records.

For the album “White Rabbit”, it was not George Benson himself who assembled the musicians. Rather, it was producer Creed Taylor, in collaboration with arranger Don Sebesky, who selected the lineup. Taylor leveraged his network and keen sense for talented musicians to bring in renowned artists such as Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira, and the then 17-year-old Earl Klugh for the recordings. This approach was typical for CTI Records, as Taylor often brought together top-tier musicians for various projects.

This album is a guitar fiesta. Benson is in excellent form, in what has to considered his peak period as a guitarist. When you add the flamenco stylings of Jay Berliner on acoustic, this recording has everything a six-string aficionado could hope for.
None of this would matter, of course, if the music was no good, but thankfully that's hardly the case here. Benson's covers of White Rabbit and California Dreamin' are nearly definitive as instrumental performances (although listeners would do well to check out Eddie Hazel's version of the latter), and there's no real let-down anywhere.
The original RVG vinyl is certainly the way to experience these recordings. For anyone who's only heard this music in digital form, this pressing will be a revelation.

Extremely nice soundstage (width & depth), punchy bass. Mids and highs well balanced. Highly recommended pressing.

This is the only german release entry with "VAN GELDER" stamped in the runout. My german release has the same runout code as this ones version 1 but there's a stamped "E" in front of the (edged) "RVG" and on side B the code ends on "1A K". The label doesn't have the "00" prefix but the standard "CTI 6015" catalogue number. Either the release that I have has not yet been catalogued or this entry here is not quite right. Any thoughts?

From the CTI catalog, here's a funky collection of psychedelic-era pieces from maestro GB. The orchestra arrangements, from Don Sebesky, are stunning, lush, and technically executed. I could stand with less of that piercing trumpet, but otherwise the mix is lovely.

Benson's playing is unimpeachable; any tune he undertakes becomes his own. The real magic happens in "Summer of '42". Geeeez that is sweet. With rhythm guitar by Earl Klugh and latin percussion from Airto, what could possibly go wrong? GB let's loose on the samba piece, "Little Train", check it out!

The recording and mix are clean, which is difficult with so many layers of instruments. Mastered by RVG, but of course. This pressing sounds amazing, beautifully three-dimensional and punchy.

Recommended.

Brilliant Benson. Get this album for 1 track El Mar a sort of Andalusian(Moors?) flavored instrumental that gently build itself unto a rolling ocean wave of epic proportion. Seriously Benson's CTI years and yes even some of the later Warner releases ie In Flight and Breezin are the apex of his career. The instrumental side of Benson was and always will be the highlights of his catalog. Always properly er by a pantheon of strong session musicians. By the late 1970's he'd gone rogue and mostly vocal and blase forgettable jazz.

Recordsbay, the labels for CTI 6015 S1 all have the "S1". Yours scan shows a CTI 6015. Can you post scans of the cover and the Side 1 label for your in-hand album? If your cover says "CTI 6015 S1" then the vinyl you scanned does not belong with that cover. You should change your listing.

An essential contemporary jazz space age instrumental jazz classic, I recommend it highly.

This album is a timeless and classic jazz release, I've enjoyed this since first buying it on cassette when I was 16 years old in 1978. I've picked up both the CD and a vinyl copy since then, really sounds great on vinyl.

Mine has a golden "stamp" on the back upper right: LOANED FOR PROMOTION ONLY. Not for sale. Ownership And All Rights Reserved.
Runout Side A is: RVG 87671 A-4.
Otherwise like this version here.
--> is this a new version?