George Benson

In mid-2001 Columbia/Legacy reissued this 1966 classic, along with It's Uptown, recorded only several months earlier. The Cookbook is widely considered Benson's essential jazz album, and for good reason. His aggressive, bop- and blues-oriented guitar work is at its peak, and in retrospect, his quartet's spirited blend of jazz, soul, and even rock is strikingly innovative. Four bonus tracks include a (previously unreleased) doo wop vocal rendition of Little Willie John's "Let Them Talk" and two Benson originals that are pure rock-n-roll: "The Man from Toledo" and "Goodnight." Two of the bonus cuts are preceded by control-booth comments from the session's legendary producer, John Hammond. [The 2001 CD reissue on Columbia/Legacy adds four bonus tracks, all recorded, like the rest of the album, in 1966; one of these, "Let Them Talk" (with a vocal by Benson), was previously unreleased.] ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide