GEORGE BENSON Schallplatten & CDs

Review: George Benson remains a towering figure in the American r&b and soul landscape. His many albums are firmly part of the canon of greats and White Rabbit is right up there. It now gets reissued on limited and numbered gatefold 180-gram audiophile white vinyl after being originally released in 1971. The album showcases Benson's exceptional guitar skills and distinctive vocal style with gems like 'White Rabbit' and 'The Greatest Love of All' effortlessly blending jazz, funk, and soul with Benson's signature smoothness. The high-quality pressing and crisp sound make it a standout on vinyl and remind that as well as the catchy and loved-up hist, Benson had some serious jazz chops.

Review: Benson's first album since rejoining Warner Music Group earlier this year, it was originally recorded in 1989 but was never released. It features the celebrated composer-arranger Robert Farnon and his orchestra and Farnon's lush arrangements beautifully complement Benson's soulful vocals and fluid guitar work on American standards like 'Autumn Leaves,' 'At Last,' and 'My Romance', as well as reimagined pop classics such as the Beatles' 'Yesterday' and Leon Russell's 'A Song For You.' The album was delayed and subsequently lost until recently rediscovered in Benson's archive and with the help of pianist, composer and arranger Randy Waldman, Benson has revived and remastered the recordings, adding new overdubs and choral arrangements. This release adds a new chapter to Benson's illustrious career, following his tenure with Warner Records from 1976 to 1993, during which he released 12 studio albums, including the triple-platinum Breezin'. Recognised as a jazz master by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) in 2009, Benson continues to be a giant in both jazz and contemporary music.