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Anticipating his next decade-plus as a blockbuster jazz-pop artist, 1968's Giblet Gravy — the first of two instrumental LPs George Benson cut for Verve Records — showcases the guitarist's earliest venture into crossover territory. Though the title track is one of two Benson originals, most of the album's tracks are sharp takes on smooth chart fare of the period: the Bacharach-David immortal "Walk On By," The Young Rascals' "Groovin'," The Association's sunshine-pop classic "Along Comes Mary" and more. Produced by former Prestige Records luminary Esmond Edwards, Giblet Gravy alternates between small-group interplay and expanded ensemble, with Benson's unmistakable guitar tone, rhythm and phrasing remaining the disc's sonic north star. The cast of stellar backing musicians includes pianist Herbie Hancock, bassists Ron Carter and Bob Cranshaw, drummer Billy Cobham, percussionist Johnny Pacheco, and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, alongside a larger brass and rhythm section woven throughout.

The Verve Vault series is all-analog, cut from the original master tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. — (via Label)

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No, you're not in Creed Taylor country yet, but you might as well be, for many of the ingredients that would garnish Benson's albums with Taylor are already present in this often enjoyable prototype. The immediate goal was to groom Benson as the next Wes Montgomery (who was about to leave Verve) -- and so he covers hit tunes of the day ("Sunny," "Along Comes Mary," "Groovin'"), playing either with a big band plus voices or a neat quintet anchored by Herbie Hancock, and the sound is contoured to give his guitar a warm mellow ambience. But the eclectic Benson is his own man, as his infectious repeated-interval rhythm trademark tells us on his self-composed title track, and despite Tom McIntosh's mostly lame arrangements, George's work is always tasty and irresistibly melodic. — (via AllMusic)

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The album features astonishing ensemble playing combined with swinging, intelligent arrangements by Tom McIntosh, who coincidentally served with George’s father in the US Army.  In the standout title track, composed by Benson, McIntosh’s arrangement provides a perfect backdrop for George’s rich trademark bluesy guitar tone.  He combines the use of double stops – two notes played in unison an octave apart – reminiscent of Wes Montgomery, with his unique approach to chordal melodies phrased with fast three-note phrases or triple stops.  This technique is featured heavily on his version of “Groovin”.

Soul food is a staple metaphor in African American music – think about “Memphis Soul Stew” or “Pass the Peas”.  These alimentary references anchor the music symbolically in black life.  The cover of this album does something similar, with George staring admiringly at his date eating a pre-gig festive meal.  Giblet gravy is a staple in African American holiday celebrations, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas. The album marks the arrival of a new jazz flavour cooked up from the ingredients of his guitar influences: a half a pound of Grant Green, a tablespoon of Tal Farlow, a teacup of Hank Garland and, of course, a pinch of Wes Montgomery.   Recalling Wes’s prophecy to Herb Alpert, today everyone has heard of George Benson, a multi-award-winning giant of jazz, but this was the beginning, a feast for your ears. — (via Everything Jazz)

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Along Comes Mary
A2 Sunny
A3 What's New?
A4 Giblet Gravy
A5 Walk On By

B1 Thunder Walk
B2 Sack Of Woe
B3 Groovin'
B4 Low Down And Dirty

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Label: Verve Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2026 / Originally Released: 1968
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk

File under: Audiophile Jazz
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