Album of the Day

GIVE ME THE NIGHT confirmed George Benson's status as a crossover star; the 1980 album reached #3 on the Billboard 200 while also topping the magazine's Soul and Jazz charts. Credit part of the collection's success to its producer, Quincy Jones, who brought in top musical support (including Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin and Lee Ritenour) and songwriting ace Rod Temperton (who was born on this day in 1949). While the Top 10 title track would prove Benson's biggest hit, the set is truly gem-packed, with “Moody's Mood,” “Off Broadway” and “Dinorah, Dinorah” each winning Grammy Awards. Rarely has the performer's voice and guitar playing been put to better use than on the Platinum-certified GIVE ME THE NIGHT, which remains one of George Benson's very best.