Customer Reviews

Touch

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally recorded in the mid-70's, who could ever forget the sax sounds of John Klemmer! A one-of-a-kind wonder where the artistry came together perfectly.

The title song "Touch" is the opening number and was a big hit back in its day. It still sounds fresh today. "Sleeping Eyes" is riveting full of soul with John on the sax and Dave Grusin on the keyboards. Other musicians that round out the group are two from Tom Scott's L.A. Express. "Body Pulse" is pretty hot. "Tone Row Weaver" begins very toned-down but hold on as it builds into an 8-minute long seering number.

Smooth jazz stations still play this one 30 years later. While some purport this sound to be the predecessor to the "smooth jazz" genre, I feel it is a perfect balance between the hot sounds of the 60's and the cool sax sounds of the 80's. This is a fine collection that is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. Pure joy!

I am a reputed OLD SOUL. I was only 8 years old and always asked my mother to play it, over and over. The melodies were akin to Wayne Shorter (innocent and easy to remember, for the most part, yet powerful enough to stay with you throughout life). Now I'm 37, just re-purchased it after all these years of not hearing it and guess what? IT STILL GIVES ME THE SAME FEELING. Pure EUPHORIA. I'm a jazz vocalist who's heard and experiments with practically EVERYTHING: straight ahead, big band, fusion, avant garde, whatever...but JOHN KLEMMER remains at the top of my list, along with legends like Coltrane, Shorter and Davis. I get EXACTLY the same feeling from listening to each: pure emotion. The amazing thing is that Klemmer's sound is what most would consider 'smooth jazz' which is what I truly DO NOT like...but I think he has simply mastered OLD WITH NEW. Good music truly has no color: this white boy is B.A.D. (and that's G.O.O.D.)!

In my single dating days in the late seventies and eighties I found this album to have no equal when it came to 'mood' music. Klemmer's lilting sax just puts people in the right frame of mind. Austin might swear by Burt, but my vote goes to John.

if you have been looking for the soundtrack for your evening
of enjoyment and love--look no further.I have yet to meet the individual who does not enjoy this disk on it's own merit. we
are talking smoooooth and deep.the puuurfect combo of
high quality musicianship and laid back precision.
you cannot go wrong with this disc under any circumstance,
but it is especially appropriate for your most quiet,intimate
moments. you have found the perfect "music of love".dim the lights.light the candles.relax and do what comes naturally--this is the perfect soundtrack for whatever you desire.
every tick of the cymbal.every
pluck of the guitar string,every ping of the keyboard is lovingly reproduced. everyone involved should have a night to remember.treat yourself.you deserve it.

If you've never taken a dip into John Klemmer's musical waters, this particular CD is the place to begin. While all of Klemmer's works are worth owning, this particular CD is the one worth owning first. The alternating simple-yet-complex sounds coming from his saxophone replace any need (or desire) for vocalization; the sounds are all that are needed. Indeed, these sounds allow the listener an opportunity to simply relax, to meditate, to appreciate fine music. If you are a looking for an alternative to some of today's "music," this CD might be for you.

This is a superb CD and ranks up there with Gato Barbieri's "Caliente" CD. Every track on this CD just oozes with sexual liberation and musical revelations...My favorite tracks on the CD are "Sleeping Eyes" and "Free Fall Lover". Definitely a make out CD..In my opinion how can Klemmer conquer this CD..Again, I bought this CD a couple of days ago after sampling this and I have been playing it constantly non-stop..I love this CD and this selection is right up there with Bob James, "Angela" and Herb Alpert's "Rise". Again, the is a CD for any quiet storm jazz lover....

This album defines the vibe and sound of 1970's LA jazz, yet has the character and quality to remain fresh, relevant and listenable two and a half decades later. A distinctive album, it is Klemmer's best. If you are looking for a great record to meditate on, mellow out to, or make love to... this one is one very worth checking out.

....there was John Klemmer. Talk about transcending a genre, especially when it didn't exist yet!. Klemmer sets up the mellow grooves that we have come to associate with smooth jazz. But there are no cliche blues licks, none of the [...] that players in this genre try to foist upon as as "hip" . Indeed, Klemmer has more in common with the late 60's mantra playing of Coltrane or Sanders than...those other guys (whose names will not be mentioned.) This is music straight from the heart, smooth but with a few twists and turns to make it interesting. And look who the sidemen are: Chuck Domanico, Chuck Rainey, Joe (not Jeff!) Porcaro, John Guerin, not to mention Emil Richards and Don Grusin on keys. .In short, an A list of studio cats playing it so sweetly.

And yes, this may be the greatest make out album ever. Brings back fond memories."Nuff said. Buy it. It still sounds great!

I was 'touched' by this compilation while stationed in the Vietnam-era Navy at Bremerton, WA in '76; wonderful place to contemplate so profound a sax masterpiece; words can't describe the joy of those times, they may never occur again; John, you gave us a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!! My only regret is that I took SO LONG to acknowledge your impossibly amazingly ahead-of-it's-time contribution to jazz music...

The albums Touch [originally released in 1974] and Barefoot Ballet [originally released in 1975] could easily have been recorded at the same time and simply released a year apart. Both comprise a mellow sax sound in the vane of John Coltrane's softer work.

Virtually all the songs from Touch and Barefoot Ballet have been woven into my long (800+ songs) Jazz playlist in iTunes. These albums, which originally appeared on the ABC label and were out of print for years, have only recently become available on CD or as digital downloads. Both offer a soothing sound that refuses to be boring.