George Benson - Irreplaceable

Title: Irreplaceable Artist: George Benson Release Date: 1/6/2004 Re-Released On: 3/30/2004 Label: Universal Distribution, Universal International, GRP Records UPCs: 602498603048, 602498612873, 0602498612873, 4988005342829 Genre: Jazz Styles: Jazz-Pop, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Guitar Jazz Moods: Elegant, Intimate, Laid-Back/Mellow, Refined/Mannered, Soothing, Sophisticated, Amiable/Good-Natured, Gentle, Reserved, Stylish, Earthy, Energetic, Playful, Rollicking, Romantic Total Copies: 3 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Six Play
2. Whole Man
3. Irreplaceable
4. Loving Is Better Than Leaving
5. Strings of Love
6. Cell Phone
7. Black Rose
8. Stairway to Love
9. Reason for Breathing
10. Missing You

Year Type Label Catalog # 2004 CD Universal International 9861287 2004 CD GRP Records 000059902 2003 CD Universal Distribution 1038

Irreplaceable [Bonus Track]

A few decades ago, when the release of a George Benson album was an event for either jazz guitar or r&b vocal enthusiasts, his projects indeed lived up to the album title he employs here. While the new collection probably won't be an essential part of the Benson enthusiast's library, it's fun to see him trying to stay in the post-millennial urban groove hip with some of the younger generation's top songwriter/producers like Joshua Thompson (who's produced for O-Town, Aretha Franklin, and Babyface) and Joe. Those who wish he'd remember his prowess as a jazz guitarist have to content themselves with its general background capacity behind pleasant romantic vocal textures and easy grooving hip-hop shuffle grooves. Fortunately, Benson's in particularly fine voice, and most of the hooks are catchy from the get go. Conceptually, the best tunes are "Six Play" (which we soon realize is a love song to his six-string) and "Cell Phone," which postulates the idea that God and our late loved ones are accessible by wireless. There are a few stylistic deviations from the basic cool formula here, most notably the gospel-tinged "Whole Man," and the lush, gently exotic, flamenco-flavored soul tune "Strings of Love." The hope is that Benson's collaborations with the hipsters will expose his legendary talents to the kids who might otherwise shy away from the charms of an elder statesman. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ali Muhammed Jackson Drum Programming Andrea Simmons Vocals (Background), Vocals Bill Blast Piano (Electric) Bobby Douglas Keyboards Chyna Vocals (Background) David Allan Brandt Cover Photo Dawn Haynes Wardrobe Donna Ranieri Photo Production George Benson Vocals, Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background), Guitar George Wadenius Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Electric), Guitar Gregoire Maret Soloist, Harmonica Hakim Bell Drum Programming, Producer Hollis King Art Direction Joe Thomas Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Drum Programming, Guitar, Producer John Fiore Vocals (Background) John Roper Engineer, Mixing Joshua Thompson Guitar, Keyboards, Soloist, Vocal Arrangement, Bass, Guitar (Acoustic), Synthesizer Bass, Drum Programming, Producer Kelly Pratt Release Coordinator Kwaku Alston Photography Lisa Fischer Vocals (Background), Vocal Arrangement Melvin Davis Organ (Hammond) Mike Hobbs Finger Snaps Philip White Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background) Pic Conley Drum Programming, Flute Randy Beasley Vocals (Background) Richard Bona Percussion, Vocal Arrangement, Bass, Chant Rika Ichiki Design Robert Silverberg Release Coordinator Sasha Harford Grooming Sean Albrecht Vocals (Background) Selina Albright Vocals (Background) Shoshannah Vocals (Background), Vocals Taylor Carpenter Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background) Tom Coyne Mastering William Irving Producer