Trying to shake things up, producer
Creed Taylor brought in arranger
Marty Sheller from
Mongo Santamaria's Afro-Cuban band, reduced the sizes of the servings (no track is longer than 3:45), cranked up the decibels to a raucous level, and presented
Benson in what he hoped would be a radio-friendly setting. The wonder is that
Benson manages to transcend the blasting Latin-percussion-spiced production, the tight time limits, and all with often brilliantly tasty guitar fills and brief solos in many styles and three reverb-heavy vocals. The most attractive - and most frustrating - track is
Eumir Deodato's lovely "Jackie, All;"
George states the tune twice and just as he starts a beautiful solo, the faders go down at the 2:15 mark! Damn. Worth hearing despite the long production knives. ~ Richard S. Ginell