Space

Released in 1978 on CTI Records, Space is a unique entry in George Benson's discography, functioning largely as a companion piece to 'In Concert-Carnegie Hall'. The album is comprised primarily of live recordings from his 1975 Carnegie Hall performance, with the notable exception of the studio-recorded 'Hold On I'm Coming'. This studio track, arranged by David Matthews and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, was intended to provide a commercial anchor for the release. The live tracks feature an elite ensemble of fusion heavyweights, including Steve Gadd on drums and Will Lee on bass, providing a relentless rhythmic foundation for Benson's virtuosic guitar flights. Critics often view this album as a showcase for Benson's transition from a pure jazz instrumentalist to a crossover star, though the live material here remains firmly rooted in the high-energy fusion and jazz-funk aesthetics of the mid-70s CTI era.