George Benson/Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up

Givin' It Up finds crossover jazz icons guitarist George Benson and vocalist Al Jarreau teaming up for a breezy, enjoyably melodic session that highlights both artists' long careers. Technically a duo album, it is Benson's first since signing with Concord Records. As such, it works as a nice reintroduction to both artists and even finds them reworking the Bobby Womack classic "Breezin'," which Benson originally covered on his 1976 album of the same name. Here listeners get Jarreau adding lyrics and vocals on a version that really evokes the classic '70s jazz-meets-r&b sound that was an original hallmark of smooth jazz. In that sense, Givin' It Up is a true joy for fans of that more organic, song-oriented approach to crossover music, with Benson and Jarreau digging in to such great songs as Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze," John Legend's "Ordinary People," and Darryl Hall's "Every Time You Go Away." Also adding some unexpected fun and celebrity sheen to the proceedings is an impromptu appearance by Paul McCartney, who joins in on Sam Cooke's gospel-inflected "Bring It on Home to Me." Throw in appearances by trumpeter Chris Botti, vocalist Patti Austin, pianist Herbie Hancock, and bassist Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke, and Givin' It Up proves music is always fun with a little help from your friends. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Name Credits A. Ray Fuller Guitar Abbey Anna Art Direction Abraham Laboriel Bass (Electric) Al Jarreau Vocals, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Vocal Percussion Al Schmitt Mixing Alethea Mills Vocals (Background) Alex Pavlides Digital Editing Andrew Pham Package Design, Art Direction Barry Eastmond Arranger, Keyboards, Engineer, Producer Bashiri Johnson Percussion Bill Airey Smith Editing, Arranger, Engineer, Digital Editing Carlos "Storm" Martinez Engineer Charles Paakkari Engineer, Arranger Chavonne Morris Vocals (Background) Chris Botti Trumpet Chris Dunn A&R, Producer Darlene Perry Vocals (Background) Dean Parks Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar DeAnte Duckett Vocals (Background) Don Murray Engineer Doug Sax Mastering Fred Martin & the Levite Camp Vocal Arrangement Freddie Fox Guitar Freddie Ravel Percussion, Arranger, Organ, Moog Bass, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, Drums, Programming, Vocal Arrangement, Synthesizer George Benson Guitar, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Vocals Gerald McCauley A&R German Villacorta Digital Editing Glen Barros Executive Producer Gregg Field Drums, Producer Heidi Meek Stylist Herbie Hancock Piano Jeff Harris Engineer Jill Scott Vocals Joe Turano Arranger, Piano (Electric), Organ (Hammond), Wurlitzer John Burk Arranger, Audio Production, Producer John Wroble Engineer Keith Gretlein Assistant Engineer Kevin Becka Engineer Kevin Lee Executive Producer Kevin Lee "The Little Monster" Executive Producer Larry E. Williams Arranger, Keyboards, Producer, Piano Larry Melero Guitar Technician Lorraine Perry Vocals (Background) Marcus Miller Arranger, Bass, Producer, Guitar (Bass) Marion Meadows Saxophone Mary Hogan A&R Maxi Anderson Vocals (Background) Mel Brown Bass Michael Hart Thompson Guitar Michael O'Neill Guitar (Rhythm) Michael White Drums, Drums Mike Broening Programming, Arranger, Keyboards, Engineer, Organ, Piano, Producer Myron Chandler Arranger, Engineer Noël Lee Executive Producer Patrice Rushen Piano (Electric), Keyboards, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Arranger Patti Austin Vocal Arrangement, Vocal Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Paul "Scooby" Smith Assistant Engineer Paul McCartney Vocals Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Philip Brossard Jr. Assistant Engineer Randee Saint Nicholas Photography Randee St. Nicholas Photography Randy Waldman Arranger, Piano Rex Rideout Piano, Arranger Ricky Lawson Drums Riku Camp Grooming Riku Campo Grooming Sandra Simmons Williams Vocals (Background) Sangwook "Sunny" Nam Mastering Seth Presant Editing, Arranger, Digital Editing, Engineer Sharon Perry Vocals (Background) Stanley Clarke Guitar (Bass), Bass Steve Genewick Mixing Assistant Terence Thomas Guitar Technician Travis Robertson Guitar Technician, Assistant Engineer Valerie Pinkston Vocals (Background) Vinnie Colaiuta Drums