
Welcome to the first edition of Dollar Bin Days. Here we’ll explore artists that have been relegated to the dusty boxes on the bottom shelf of the record store. No hand sanitizer needed.
Artist: John Klemmer, Album: Touch, Label/Release: ABC Records/1975, Tracklist: A Side – Touch, Glass Dolphins, Waterwheels, Free Fall Lover. Tracklist: B Side – Sleeping Eyes, Body Pulse, Tone Row Weaver, Walk With Me My Love And Dream. Price: $.50

When I was young I used to go to the record store at the mall (when record stores at the mall actually sold records) and spend my paper route money on the grab bags and marked down records and cassettes. I did occasionally come across some good music, My Sister’s Machine, Cop Shoot Cop, Gruntruck and This Mortal Coil to name a few.
Last week I went down to the local record shop to pick up some filler for my collection. I enjoy looking through the discount records in search of hidden gems. Normally I pick out artists that have a cool album cover or band name. This trip was especially fun because I forgot my reading glasses and couldn’t see any small print. I forget sometimes that my eyes are 47 years old instead of 27.
I came across the Klemmer album and it looked alright. He had the shaggy hair, sandals and patched up jeans. It was from 1975 so for fifty cents it was worth a shot. I got it home, gave it a quick cleaning, and on the turntable it went. Much to my surprise it was jazz, and smooth jazz at that. I gave it a good listen and decided it would be a good record for Elliecoo and me on Sunday mornings (when the chance arises, we settle on our respective sofas for a peaceful morning of books, newspapers, and coffee with a generous portion of Bailey’s).
Klemmer is an interesting fellow. He trained in piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone, conducting, arranging, and music theory from childhood to college. He signed his first record contract after he graduated high school and was one of the first artists in the jazz fusion genre. He’s played with John Lee Hooker, Ray Manzarak and Steely Dan, and appearances on tv shows like Midnight Special and Rock Concert. His music has been sampled by The Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill and many more, and the title track to Touch is sampled by Black Star( Mos Def/Talib Kweli) in their song “Yo Yeah”.
The album “Touch” is considered the start of the Smooth Jazz genre along with music by Chuck Mangione and Spyro Gyra. So, if you hate Kenny G you can blame John Klemmer.
As far as I can tell Klemmer is still arranging and producing at the age of 73. The latest video clips of him performing are from 2013. So if you get a chance to see him perform take it. You may not get another one.
Great post, I hope this will become a regular thing.
I like to peruse the used music section at Half Price Books, haven’t done it in a while but you’ve inspired me. I’ll give Klemmer a listen with my afternoon coffee today.
Yep! I wasn’t expecting this bit to be in the post:
i’m tempted to put it on the
navigation menu already!
Love Half Price Books too. We also have one of the last independent record stores not too far away, always cool stuff playing. I can spend hours in there if left alone, don’t want to miss that one special find.
We have a pretty good record store in town but the parking is terrible so I don’t go as often as I like.
im pretty sure this is a dollar bin special
i kinda like the creepy nun lady
I could seriously get high to this and freak the hell out.
thats probably what ill do later
after years of not smoking the stuff i picked some up…figured maybe itll help me sleep… but if not ill just be monging out to music for a night… dont sound so bad
in related news.. til theres a type of weed called girl scout cookie
i have to try it
Speaking of bargain bin finds, there is a documentary out there called “Bathtubs Over Broadway” which is the story of David Letterman’s former head writer who would dig through bargain bins to find albums from industrial shows and the journey it took him on. It’s a very well done doc–highly recommended. I think it’s on Netflix.
Great write up, Keitel! I hope the Dollar Bin Days becomes a regular thing!
Awesome. I look forward to more installments of this series. Klemmer is one of those guys whose records I’ve been passing by for years. Not sorry I have, but interesting guy.