Earl Klugh - Soda Fountain Shuffle (1985)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

Earl Klugh plays acoustic guitar, mostly on smooth jazz recordings although he has ventured into straight-ahead jazz and pop music as well. For this release, which he wrote and produced, Klugh put together a top-notch group of session players for his backing band. Over the years, this has proven to be one his more popular releases. I hadn't given it much thought since college, but found a used copy within the past few years. I must have listened to this album quite a bit back then because I easily remembered all the tunes.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "Klugh strikes a balance between the delicate ballads and breezier, uptempo fare that have earned him broad crossover appeal."
• CashBox: "Klugh moves on with this more contemporary collection of new tunes"

Album chart Peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #110
• Billboard Jazz: #3
• Billboard R&B: #23
• CashBox: #105
• CashBox Jazz: #1
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #4

Tracks: Just Pretend, Moonlight Dancing, and Some Other Time are all good cuts. The drum machine and synth sounds of '85 have really dated songs like Baby Cakes and Rainbow Man.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Reminds me of Room 156 in Berry Hall and the mall in Greenville (named Crossroads Mall, maybe?), which is probably where I purchased the album originally.