Eric Kloss - Sky Shadows In The Land Of The Giants

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:40
Size: 174,3 MB
Art: Front

( 6:25)  1. In A Country Soul Garden
(13:15)  2. Sky Shadows
( 6:45)  3. The Girl With The Fall In Her Hair
( 6:43)  4. I'll Give You Everything
( 7:11)  5. January's Child
( 7:32)  6. Summertime
(11:02)  7. So What
( 5:19)  8. Sock It To Me Socrates
( 5:36)  9. When Two Lovers Touch
( 5:48) 10. Things Ain't What They Used To Be

Although he’s apparently maintaining a low profile these days, saxophonist Eric Kloss recorded quite a few albums for Prestige records by the time he reached the tender ago of 19. Here, Prestige has reissued Kloss’ Sky Shadows and In The Land Of The Giants on 1 Compact Disc. From the liners....” This Music, from 1968 and ’69, finds the emerging Kloss in full flight, whether the setting is post-bop or modal, standard or balladic”. At this juncture, Kloss shows maturity, outstanding technical chops and depth while the now famous supporting cast were obviously motivated and geared up for these sessions.  Tracks 1-5 were originally released as Sky Shadows and feature: Kloss; Alto & Tenor Saxophones; Pat Martino; Guitar: Jaki Byard; Piano: Bob Cranshaw; Bass and Jack DeJohnette; Drums. Here, Kloss’ “In a Country Soul Garden” is soulful, bouncy and blends R&B and Jazz motifs featuring a vibrant tempo and memorable hook as “Sky Shadows” also serves as a fitting vehicle for Kloss’ often linear phraseology. On “Sky Shadows”, Kloss’ straight-up yet fluent approach along with near flawless intonation, counterbalances the narrative style and clear toned phrasing by the great guitarist, Pat Martino. Here, the late pianist Jaki Byard, performs as if he were truly inspired or motivated for both of these sessions. Byard’s impossibly fast lead soloing and rippling chord clusters are awe-inspiring! 

Sadly, Jaki Byard is no longer with us yet his numerous contributions to jazz and jazz education are meritorious and will stand for many years to come. Tracks 6-11 were originally released on In the Land Of The Giants as the personnel here consists of Kloss; Alto Sax, Booker Ervin; Tenor Sax; Jaki Byard; Piano; Alan Dawson; Drums and Richard Davis; Bass. Highlights are, an absolutely stunning, up-tempo version of Miles Davis’ “So What” featuring the towering and vigorous tenor saxophone work of the late Booker Ervin. Here, Kloss and Ervin take turns reaching for the stars via soaring and electrifying lead soloing!........Not a cutting contest yet these esteemed gentlemen perform with conviction as if they were possessed by spirits... Kloss’ sweet alto sax tone and sumptuous phrasing is evident on “When Two Lovers Touch”. On the Ellington classic, “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be” Kloss’ expressionism and emotive lyricism displays mature sensibilities and expertise for such a young lad. Prestige has performed a dutiful service for jazz enthusiasts by releasing these gems from a man who seems to have toggled his career between fame and relative obscurity. Recommended.. ~ Glenn Astarita https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sky-shadows-in-the-land-of-the-giants-eric-kloss-prestige-records-review-by-glenn-astarita.php

Personnel: Eric Kloss (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Pat Martino (guitar); Booker Ervin (tenor saxophone); Jaki Byard (piano); Jack DeJohnette, Alan Dawson (drums).

Sky Shadows / In The Land Of The Giants

---

Eric Kloss - About Time

Styles: Saxophone Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:05
Size: 172,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:53)  1. Close Your Eyes
(5:49)  2. Old Folks
(8:12)  3. 'S 'Bout Time
(5:32)  4. That's The Way It Is
(5:44)  5. All Blues
(4:33)  6. Embraceable You
(4:58)  7. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(5:56)  8. Just For Fun-K
(5:20)  9. No Blues
(7:41) 10. Love For Sale
(5:09) 11. I'm Glad There Is You
(3:05) 12. The Shadow Of Your Smile
(6:07) 13. Gemini

Eric Kloss was 16 and 17 when he recorded his first two albums, which are reissued in full on this single CD. A brilliant altoist and tenor saxophonist with a sound and a post-bop style of his own, Kloss shows a great deal of potential during these performances, which were originally released as Introducing Eric Kloss and Love and All That Jazz. He is joined by trios that feature either Don Patterson or Richard "Groove" Holmes on organ; Pat Martino, Vinnie Corrao, or Gene Edwards on guitar; and Billy James or Grady Tate on drums. Two Kloss originals and one by Patterson join ten jazz standards, including "Close Your Eyes," "All Blues," a cooking version of "Embraceable You," and Miles Davis' "No Blues." The fire, intensity, and creativity of Eric Kloss' playing makes one regret that he did not have a much longer career. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/about-time-eric-kloss-the-rhythm-section-love-and-all-that-jazz-mw0000221813

About Time

---

Eric Kloss - Consciousness!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1970
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:41
Size: 98,0 MB
Art: Front

(10:40)  1. Sunshine Superman
(10:10)  2. Kay
( 6:08)  3. Outward Wisdom
( 7:02)  4. Songs To Aging Children
( 8:39)  5. Consciousness

Eric Kloss is a world renowned alto and tenor saxophonist, a multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, composer, clinician, educator, and television personality. Blind from birth music became his vision. A true child prodigy he performed with his mentor Sonny Stitt at age 12. Backed by jazz guitarist Pat Martino, his recording career began at age 16 with the release of “Introducing Eric Kloss”. Blending hard bob, be-bop, pop, rock, funk, free jazz, classical and world music, he went on to release 22 critically acclaimed recordings on the Prestige and Muse labels. A who’s who of jazz masters appeared as sidemen on his albums including Gerald Veasley, Barry Miles, Don Patterson, Jaki Byard, Gil Goldstein, Richard Davis, Alan Dawson, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Owens, Kenny Barron, Booker Ervin, Leroy Vinnegar, Billy Higgins, Kenny Barron, Bob Cranshaw, and Alan Dawson. His most acclaimed album, Eric Kloss and the Rhythm Section, features the Miles Davis rhythm section of Corea, DeJohnette, and Dave Holland. Kloss toured the USA and Europe for 25 years wowing audiences with his technical brilliance and wild improvisations. Eric was a frequent guest on the PBS TV show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, second only to pianist Johnny Costa for most appearances by any musician. In 1989 he became a spokesman for Yahoo Music promoting and performing with the sax-like MX-11 wind synthesizer. In the 1990s he began teaching at Duquesne University and went on to become head of the jazz department at Carnegie Mellon University. As an educator and clinician he mentored a new generation of jazz performers and instructors. The Fantasy Jazz label has reissued several of his recordings: First Class, About Time, the 2 CD box set Eric Kloss & the Rhythm Section/Love and All That Jazz, and the 2 CD box set Sky Shadows/In the Land of the Giants. Eric withdrew from teaching and performing in 2001 when he became seriously ill. He continues to write and plans to perform and record if his health improves. The unreleased work Cosmic Adventures demonstrates his musical mastery ~  https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/erickloss

Personnel: Eric Kloss (alto sax) (soprano sax); Dave Holland (bass) (bass guitar); Chick Corea (piano) (electric piano); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Pat Martino (guitar).

Consciousness!

---