The Jazz Channel Presents Earl Klugh

"And now for something completely different... A Jazz Channel Presents review!".

This disc features a performance from pop/jazz acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh recorded, like the other discs that I've reviewed from this series, at the Black Music Television II studio in Washington D.C.

For those of you who have never heard of him, Earl Klugh was born on the 16th of September 1954 in Detroit Michigan. He started playing guitar at an early age and quotes some of his early influences as Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery and Bill Evans. By 15 he was working at a record store where noted jazz man Yusef Lateef heard him playing. He was impressed by his ability and invited Klugh to sit in on one of his sessions. He later flew Klugh to New York to perform on one of his albums. Two years later he was playing in George Benson's band and made a significant contribution to his album White Rabbit.

By the mid 1970's Klugh was the leader of his own band and releasing successful albums for labels such as Blue Note, Capitol and Warner Brothers. During his career Klugh has been nominated for 7 grammies and has won one.

In this concert Klugh is backed by a talented 7 piece band that play very well together producing a full and satisfying sound that is sure to please fans of Klugh as well as light jazz/easy listening music. Klugh has an un-fussed, relaxed on stage personality. He quietly goes about his business and seems to be really enjoying himself. This disc makes excellent viewing for those wanting to sit back, relax and listen to some beautifully played music.

The playlist for this particular performance is:
 
 

1. Wiggle	7. Private Affair
2. Living Inside Your Love	8. Whispers And Promises
3. Wind And The Sea	9. Tropical Legs
4. Rayna	10. Mount Airy Road
5. Midnight In San Juan	11. Last Song
6. Take It From The Top	12. Dr. Macumba

 

This is the third "jazz channel presents" disc that I've reviewed and I'm pleased to say that the video transfer of this disc is an improvement over the others.

This full-frame transfer offers better middle distance clarity and the detail in close shots is good. Long shots are still unclear but you can't have everything! There is some minor aliasing on guitar strings and the like and I also noted some cross coloration on Earl Klugh's guitar strings. Each of these blemishes are minor and I didn't find any of these a distraction.

The colour saturation of this transfer is high with strong blues and purples the main feature of the stage lighting. Despit this, the colours never bleed and rob the transfer of detail. The main performers are also lit by "normal" or white light which I think helps avoid the slight colour bleeding present in the other discs I've reviewed.

There are DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 audio tracks on this disc. I listened to the DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 offerings.

DTS

This audio track is a beaut! My player showed this as a 5.0 track, like the other discs that I've reviewed. However, in this case the centre channel was active throughout the performance working in concert (pardon the pun) with the main channels to produce a strong and detailed front soundstage. All instruments are present in each of the front channels but during solos that particular instrument is mixed higher in one channel so as to draw attention to it. In several tracks, Earl Klugh's guitar was sitting somewhere between the centre and left channel while the saxophone was featured in the right. Split surround activity did occur with forceful drum work often moving smoothly from the right, to the centre and then to the left. The rear channels are well used to carry reverb or echo as well as applause which creates a nicely immersive soundfield.

Despite this being reported as a 5.0 mix, my subwoofer remained awake throughout the concert adding some extra low end punch.

Dolby Digital 5.1

My DVD player reported this as a 5.1 mix and like the DTS track it features the centre channel as well as the subwoofer. This track has the same sound design as the DTS version and is also of excellent quality. The only difference of note is in the volume level. This track is mastered with a volume level that is about 4 or 5db higher. I also felt that this track was less refined when compared to the DTS version but this is being very picky indeed.

There is only one extra on this disc and it is an interview feature that runs for just under 17 minutes.

The interview is an odd feature as a small window is shown in alternating corners of the screen when Earl is talking with the rest of the screen showing concert footage. While he is talking, the concert sound is kept in the background.

In this interview Klugh is asked a number of questions which cover topics such as his influences, his early experiences, special moments, electric vs acoustic guitar and what sort of music he thinks he writes. The audio of the interview is good with all of Earl's answers easy to understand.

Well folks, what we have here is a very good concert disc which features a great performance from Earl Klugh and an equally great performance from his Saxophonist. The video transfer is good and an improvement over the other discs I've sampled. The audio, I think, is excellent. If you're a fan of easy listening jazz music then grab a copy of this disc.