Earl Klugh Kiri

Life Stories retains the synthesizers of Soda Fountain Shuffle but it gets a little warmer, adding backing vocals and the occasional live instrument, all in a move to help push the record closer to quiet storm. Although sometimes the sound is a shade glassy, Life Stories nevertheless succeeds: it's a nice, warm, grooving little record.

Thanks to its uptempo, Spanish guitar style, "Dr. Macumba" stacks up as one of Klugh's most compelling compositions. Those who enjoy "Dr. Macumba" will most likely find "Cabo Frio" and "Jolanta" among the CD's highlights, as well. "Long Ago And Far Away" is a pleasant, thoughtful take on a James Taylor tune, while "Dance With Me" is an equally appropriate remake of the Orleans hit.

Earl Klugh's debut album in 1976 launched two careers: Klugh's and the production team of Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen. With subtle funk of Grusin, Lee Ritenour and Harvey Mason under him, Klugh's impeccable acoustic guitar took flight. Material ranges from originals by Klugh and Grusin to pop tunes like "Laughter In The Rain" to Bill Evans's "Waltz For Debby." This title is newly remastered, the album now includes three bonus tracks made in 1977.

Grammy Award-winning acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh is releasing a new ensemble recording, The Spice of Life, April 29th, on Koch Records. The album is being described as Klugh's “first full-production release in nine years,” and is the follow-up to 2005’s Naked Guitar, which brought Klugh his eleventh career Grammy nomination. On the album, Klugh reinterprets four of his favorite standards and longtime collaborator Don Sebesky contributes five orchestral arrangements, including Klugh’s boyhood favorite “Canadian Sunset”; his reinterpretation of the Thelonious Monk classic, “Bye Ya”; and a revival of “C’est Si Bon.” Flutist Hubert Laws guests, and composer Eddie Horst arranges the chamber-group string accompaniment on the Klugh original “Heart of My Life.” The Spice of Life also features several Klugh originals. The project is said to incorporate all of the veteran instrumentalist's musical influences, from pop and soul to jazz and gospel, as well as different musical settings.

Living inside Your Love is the second studio album by Earl Klugh released in 1976, by Blue Note Records.

Mosaic Records, known for its historic compilations of Blue Note recordings in either box sets or the Mosaic Select series, introduces its Contemporary line with this reissue of Earl Klugh's 1985 recording. At the least, it is a curious anomaly to all the label's other packages. At best, fans of Klugh will be happy to revisit tunes they may have only owned on vinyl. It's primarily the same syrupy orchestrations by Don Sebesky, the same lugubrious after-hours tempos, and Klugh's laid-back, mostly acoustic guitar framing movie themes, ballads, and an occasional standard. The solo acoustic takes of the swing evergreen "Ain't Misbehavin'" and an always bluesy "See See Rider" are still the standout cuts, flute beautifully leads and identifies the wondrous, poignant "Nature Boy" and "A Certain Smile," while oboe fronts the "Theme from Picnic."

If there's any mystery about how to sustain an instrumental career over nearly two decades, just ask Earl Klugh for the solution. Judging from the well-traveled acoustic guitarist's body of work, it seems to lie in staying true to a certain sweet sound but continually changing the rhythmic and production trappings. After a few ambitious jaunts into the orchestral realm, Klugh on Move shakes up the formula with a mixed bag of logical twists: exotic percussion, African chant vocals, odd vocal effects, swinging rock-blues, and urban-flavored grooves. The result is an inspired new freshness. While sticking to his slick, melodic string style, Klugh infuses more aggressive energy into the pot. A few times, he even lets a harmonica and sax take the lead voice. Klugh's warm flavors have never gone out of style, but it's nice to get a visit from an old friend bearing new and unique gifts.

As is usual with Earl Klugh's recordings, Journey features the guitarist's pretty tone on melodic and lightly funky material. His backup band sounds very anonymous and none of his sidemen display an original personality. However Klugh's musicians do their job well, providing a safe background for the guitarist as he interprets ten of his original melodies. Earl Klugh collectors will most likely enjoy this effort due to his sound and the peaceful vibes, but those who prefer more adventurous music will not be converted.

An acoustic guitarist with a very pretty tone, Earl Klugh does not consider himself a jazz player and thinks of Chet Atkins as being his most important influence. Klugh played on a Yusef Lateef album when he was 15 and gained recognition in 1971 for his contributions to George Benson's White Rabbit record. He played regularly with Benson in 1973, was a member of Return to Forever briefly in 1974, and then in the mid-'70s, began recording as a leader. After a couple well-received solo albums on different Capitol imprints including Blue Note, Klugh hit pay dirt with 1979's One on One, a Grammy-winning collaboration with pianist Bob James.