MOG Editorial Review

Extraordinarily versatile jazz guitarist George Benson was always at his best in a small combo, the rawness of his playing still prominent. With Jack DeJohnette on drums, Ron Carter on bass, and Clarence Palmer on organ, Beyond the Blue Horizon is a tantalizing sweet spot in Benson's early-'70s period, when his interests in smooth soul, pop and international music began to weigh more heavily on his own blues-leaning instrumental work. It's the kind of artist's statement that manages to effortlessly herd a range of styles into something wholly original, something greater than the sum of its parts. Opener "So What" coaxes the listener into the tone of the record, while "All Clear" is a soul-jazz number that jams out brilliantly. "Ode to Kudu" is a seductive piece of music, allowed by the band to slowly blossom and unfurl gracefully. Closer "Somewhere in the East" is a sort of African and Indian-influenced groove, on which Benson's guitar shines. It's hard not to hear every track as a standout on this one; the alternate takes takes only add more perspective.