George Benson – Livin' Inside Your Love

George Benson – Livin' Inside Your Love

Released in 1979 on Warner Bros., Livin' Inside Your Love is a superb double-album from George Benson, combining his fluid jazz guitar playing and soulful vocals with polished funk, R&B and orchestral arrangements. Produced by Tommy LiPuma and recorded across Atlantic Studios, Columbia 30th Street Studios and Capitol Studios, the album captures Benson at a particularly rich point in his career, balancing sophisticated jazz musicianship with the smooth, accessible sound that would become a defining part of his later work.

The album opens with the warm, melodic title track, "Livin' Inside Your Love", written by Earl Klugh, followed by the soulful "Hey Girl" and the breezy, groove-led "Nassau Day". Benson is joined by an exceptional cast of musicians including Earl Klugh, Phil Upchurch, Ronnie Foster, Jorge Dalto, Will Lee, Steve Gadd and Ralph MacDonald, giving the record a superb combination of jazz guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and percussion.

Side B moves further into soul and jazz-funk with Benson's take on Young-Holt Unlimited's "Soulful Strut", Ronnie Foster's "Prelude To Fall" and a striking interpretation of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". The arrangements by Mike Mainieri and Claus Ogerman add an expansive orchestral dimension, while Benson's guitar remains the central voice throughout.

The second record continues in a more romantic and vocal direction. "Love Ballad" became one of the album's key tracks and was promoted as a single by Warner Bros., while "You're Never Too Far From Me" and "Love Is A Hurtin' Thing" showcase Benson's effortless blend of jazz phrasing and soulful vocals. The closing side features "Welcome Into My World", "Before You Go" and a beautifully arranged version of "Unchained Melody".

For collectors of late-1970s jazz, soul and funk, Livin' Inside Your Love is an especially appealing Benson album. It sits comfortably alongside the sophisticated jazz-funk and crossover records of the period, while Benson's distinctive guitar sound, polished production and strong ensemble playing make this a rewarding listen from beginning to end. The original US Warner Bros. edition is a two-record gatefold set, catalogue 2BSK 3277.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Livin' Inside Your Love – 6:36
2. Hey Girl – 4:29
3. Nassau Day – 6:09

Side B

1. Soulful Strut – 5:35
2. Prelude To Fall – 6:27
3. A Change Is Gonna Come – 3:42

Side C

1. Love Ballad – 5:12
2. You're Never Too Far From Me – 6:41
3. Love Is A Hurtin' Thing – 4:23

Side D

1. Welcome Into My World – 4:07
2. Before You Go – 6:25
3. Unchained Melody – 6:32