Giblet Gravy (Verve Vault)

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.