Ballads (Earl Klugh album)

Ballads is a studio album by American smooth jazz and crossover jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, released in 1991 on Warner Bros. Records. The album features Klugh's interpretations of various popular ballads, primarily focusing on romantic and melodic compositions. It is characterized by Klugh's signature nylon-string guitar sound and arrangements that emphasize melody and atmosphere. The album showcases Klugh's ability to create nuanced and emotive performances within the smooth jazz genre. Common instrumentation includes backing from bass, drums, keyboards, and strings, creating a lush and polished sound. Ballads is generally regarded as one of Klugh's more accessible and commercially successful albums, highlighting his strengths in melodic interpretation and arrangement. It often appears on lists of recommended Earl Klugh recordings.