Two songs from the Monster Music(R) SuperDisc(TM), High Definition Surround (HDS) release of George Benson and Al Jarreau's Givin' It Up were winners during the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards, held on February 11, 2007, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The songs and categories for which Givin' It Up won 2007 Grammy Awards are:
* Mornin' for Best Pop Instrumental Performance
* God Bless the Child (featuring Jill Scott) for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Benson and Jarreau were also nominated for Breezin’ in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category. "What an incredible night!" said Noel Lee, The Head Monster, who served as executive producer on Givin' It Up and has been a friend of Benson's for more than 20 years. "George [Benson] and Al [Jarreau] worked so incredibly hard on Givin' It Up and I could not think of anyone else more deserving of taking home Grammy awards. We wholeheartedly congratulate both of these R&B legends on these tremendous industry recognitions."
Lee added that he believes, sonically, that Givin' It Up is the best sounding album from either of these artists. Givin' It Up is Monster Music's first newly recorded studio project and extreme care was taken to preserve the impact and naturalness of the moment. Givin' It Up sets a benchmark in audio quality, delivering the highest fidelity stereo and surround experiences in Dolby Digital and DTS for both home theater systems and iPod/MP3 players. Givin' It Up is now available at most consumer electronics stores and at MonsterMusic.com
In exclusive Monster High Definition Surround, the genius and artistry of George Benson and Al Jarreau -- and an incomparable group of special guests, including Herbie Hancock and Paul McCartney -- is more captivating than ever, providing an inner detail and nuance in their music like never before, as if the listener was there live in the studio. Whether it's Benson's unmistakable tasty guitar licks, or Jarreau's patented mouth percussion, the listener is virtually sitting in the all-star band's crossfire thanks to Monster's High Definition Surround technology. Other guest musicians include Jill Scott, Marcus Miller, Chris Botti, Patrice Rushen, and Stanley Clarke.
Monster Music SuperDiscs are the first music audio releases to be certified by THX for high quality sound, multiple surround experiences, and digital music files. Givin' It Up is the result of a joint venture between Monster Music, the newly created record division of high-end audio equipment supplier Monster Cable, and the Concord Music Group, which simultaneously released in the same day, a stereo CD version of the Benson/Jarreau collaboration. Givin' It Up was conceived as a state-of-the-art recording by John Burk, Concord Music Group Executive Vice President and Head of A&R. Burk, the album's producer, approached Monster Cable about partnering on the project to put its High Definition Surround SuperDisc touch on the proceedings.
Although they have occasionally cross paths at live gigs, Givin' It Up marks the first time Benson and Jarreau have worked in a recording studio together. In fact, Givin' It Up was borne out of a 2006 early summer, double- bill tour in which Benson and Jarreau took turns headlining.
Givin' It Up marks Monster Music's first release of newly recorded material, following several remixed and remastered reissues in High Definition Surround of albums, such as Ray Charles' Genius Loves Company, the classic Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi, and an updated version of the same songs by contemporary jazz artists, and the 20-something, pop singer/songwriter/pianist phenomenon Peter Cincotti.
Benson, Jarreau and Burk shared ideas of what should go on Givin' It Up, whose 13 songs include well chosen covers representing recent decades of popular music ranging from Billie Holiday's God Bless the Child (1940s), Sam Cooke's Bring It on Home (1960s), Seals & Croft's Summer Breeze (1970s), Daryl Hall's Everytime You Go Away (1980s). It was purely studio serendipity that landed McCartney, who was working in the studio next door, for Bring It On Home. Givin' It Up also features sizzlin' jazz jams courtesy of Benson, Jarreau & company on two Miles Davis staples (Tutu and Four).
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