About

George Benson's 1976 classic album Breezin' redefined what jazz guitar could sound like. Effortless, melodic, and irresistibly smooth, Breezin' became the soundtrack to an era and the album that launched Benson into crossover superstardom.

With timeless hits such as "This Masquerade" and the sunlit title track, Breezin', Benson's 15th album, bridges the worlds of jazz, pop, and R&B with rare grace.  It not only was a Billboard Jazz Albums chart-topper but also went to No. 1 on the pop and R&B charts. It was certified triple platinum-selling, making it one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.

The record took home Grammy Awards for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Record of the Year for "This Masquerade," while earning multiple nominations, including for Album and Song of the Year — an unprecedented feat for a jazz guitarist.

Now, this classic shines brighter than ever. Mastered at 45 RPM by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab and pressed on flat, ultra-quiet vinyl by Quality Record Pressings, this edition reveals new layers of warmth, depth, and presence in Benson's silky tone and fellow rhythm and bass guitarist Phil Upchurch's signature groove.

Breezin' isn't just a smooth jazz cornerstone — it's one of the most impeccably crafted and influential albums of its time. For collectors, audiophiles, and anyone who loves music that feels like pure sunlight, this definitive 45 RPM reissue is essential listening. — (via Label)

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There are certain records whose reputation precedes them, but only reveal their full character when heard under the right conditions. Breezin’ is one of those albums. Long admired for its effortless blend of jazz, pop, and R&B, it remains a landmark not just in George Benson’s career, but in the broader crossover landscape of the mid-1970s. 

What stands out just as strongly, however, is Benson himself. The guitar work here is fully realized—fluid, expressive, and effortless—but equally compelling is the vocal performance. The ease with which he moves between lyrical phrasing and scat singing feels entirely natural, and it would become a defining element of his work in the years that followed. That ability—to excel equally as a guitarist and vocalist—remains one of the album’s most distinctive and enduring qualities.— (via Audiophilia)

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— 2LP, 45RPM pressed on 180g black vinyl
— Housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on gatefold jacket
— Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from the original master tape
— Part of the Acoustic Sounds 40 Series

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Breezin'
B1 This Masquerade
B2 Six To Four
C1 Affirmation
D1 So This Is Love?
D2 Lady

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Label: Analogue Productions
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180g, Gatefold
Reissued: 2026 / Originally Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Contemporary Jazz

File under: Audiophile Jazz
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