While
George Benson's solid jazz reputation supposedly rests on his early
John Hammond-produced Columbia albums, one listen to this disc will reveal that his interests roamed widely from the beginning. Yes, there is plenty of straightforward bop playing here, with
Benson stretching his technical chops on "Hello Birdie" and "Myna Bird Blues" and ruminating thoughtfully on "Willow Weep for Me." But
Benson also had an interest in quasi-rock & roll, producing
Wes-like octaves on "Young Jaguar," and some
Bo Diddley-in-Spain rhythm chording on "Bullfight." The young
Benson sounds pure and mellifluous on three vocal numbers, the basic elements of his later successes mostly in place. Yet
Benson's backing combo doesn't click on all cylinders;
Lonnie Smith is reliable on organ but
Ronnie Cuber's blunt baritone sax is rather cumbersome here.