CTI stands for Creed Taylor Incorporated, a byword not only for production quality but also smoothness. Yet fear not, this is one of Taylor’s harder-hitting efforts. George Benson as jazz guitarist has never sounded funkier than here, with plenty of blowing room, a crisp rhythm section sparked by the rampant young Jack DeJohnette, some unobtrusive brass arrangements by Pee Wee Ellis and literally no strings to cramp his style. Another welcome feature is Benson’s exemplary teamwork with rhythm guitarist Earl Klugh, particularly on Donny Hathaway’s soul classic, ‘When Love Has Grown’. Both guitarists and pianist Harold Mabern solo on this, Benson employing far more chordwork than he usually does. And all five of the other cuts here, including the title track, and the excellent ‘Plum’, are Benson originals. Though not yet singing for his supper he is really stretching out here, his solos bursting with funky energy and soulful dynamism, models of how to retain interest and build excitement even on themes with minimal harmonic movement. True, he does repeat quite a few clichés, but they’re his own clichés. Recommended, especially to younger listeners unfamiliar with Benson’s mid-period transition to superstardom.