Long before the term ‘smooth jazz’ had been invented, the collaborations between Bob James and Earl Klugh were doing much to shape what followed. The seminal albums that they recorded together were memorable not only for the magical quality of the music but also because of the simple yet innovative art work that was used to adorn each sleeve. For the 1979 ‘One on One’ that image was of a match book. Thirteen years later ‘Cool’ predictably displayed a cucumber. The subject of this retrospective, the 1982 ‘Two Of A Kind’, was illustrated with a pair of aces. In fact, as a partnership or as solo artists this is exactly what James and Klugh were, a pair of musical aces, and ‘Two Of A Kind’, does much to demonstrate why.
Although the album is limited to only six tracks, each one is given the time and space to develop to its full. This is certainly the case with the Bob James written ‘The Falcon’ which, at almost nine minutes, moves from tranquil beginnings through some of James hallmark riffs and on to sumptuous fret work from Klugh. The fact that the entire piece is topped off by the percussive combination of Harvey Mason and Leonnard Gibbs Jr. only adds to the charm and when Mason contributes a composition of his own, the zesty Latin splashed ‘Whiplash’, the outcome is just as good.
The captivating ‘Sandstorm’ is all about the rhythm and melody that this magnificent duo routinely but sublimely deliver and whereas ‘Where I Wander’ has a comforting Caribbean flavoured vibe, ‘Ingenue’ proves to be an understated, serene delight for which the playing of both James and Klugh takes on something of a classical quality,
However, all things considered, there is no better example of the great things that occur when these two fine players combine than the dazzlingly beautiful ‘Wes’. At just under eight minutes in length this is a musical marathon that you will never want to end.
‘Two Of A Kind’ can still be obtained through Amazon at,
Purchase it before this great collection is gone forever.
