A little space by A little space

Add the finesse of jazz, the grooves of funk and the energy of an electric band working together to come up with a mix of grace, power and beauty that is A little space.

Brief Bio

The group A little space represents the work of bass player Alan Gruskoff (Big Al) of Pasadena CA. The CD album "A little space" was written, recorded and produced by Big Al who plays most of the instrumental tracks on the album. Big Al grew up in the Detroit / Ann Arbor areas of Michigan, bringing influences of jazz, Motown funk, rock and even Cuban salsa. He is currently a session bass player in the L.A. area and band leader of A little space.

Composer Alan Gruskoff is a prize winner in the Jazz category of the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for Latin / Jazz instrumental "Yes I Would".

All songs music and lyrics ©Alan Gruskoff 2002, a NARAS and ASCAP member.

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I couldn't let the weekend come without letting you know how much I LOVE this cd.... It is absolutely beautiful!!

Rhonda Kelley

Rainmaker Publicity

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Hello, and thank you for the cd! It sounds great (the remixed tracks blended in very nicely) and looks great too. Keep up the excellent work.

John Vestman

John Vestman Mastering

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BTW: Love your stuff, "Yes I Would" is a killer song.

Roy Elkins, President - Broadjam.com

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I'm listening to your CD on Clickspin (again & again) and wanted to say that A little space music has a natural, honest & positive message and is very captivating.

Jack / Clickspin founder

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The CD album: A little space

The self-titled first CD album "A little space" is a musically varied collection of 14 songs. The 9 Vocal songs present sophisticated song oriented jazzy funk with style, including 3 intimate ballads. The vocals songs can be considered in the "pop" category as being tuneful, with strong melodies. The album's 5 Instrumental tracks present grooving funk, cool sax and high energy electric guitar. Closing with a string quartet requiem and a art concept piece featuring the Alembic bass guitar.

Song Insights - Vocal Songs

1) Pictures Of You (4:31)

Up Tempo Groovin Jazz/Pop. About getting what you want using light in a photographic manner to capture time and memories in a physical manner.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

2) Sure There Is (4:21)

A ballad, a strong romantic statement. The observer is convinced that the existance of all the senses are provide for the purpose of experiencing their romantic interest.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, Yamaha APX-4A Acoustic Guitar, MIDI everything else.

3) My Own Sweet Time (4:41)

70?s Funk. A little personal control is a good thing. A statement of non-compliance with conformity.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Dean Roubicek - Tenor Sax; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

4) She Walks, She Talks (4:22)

Modern Motown Funk. The songwriter is a Bass player from Detroit, this groove is required. A very original bass line drives this R&B dance song with style. Lyrically, an acknowledge ment of the independent feminine spirit.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, MIDI everything else.

5) Story Of My Life (4:33)

A lush ballad, a song of regret, about wanting to do the right thing, yet it never works out. That hauntingly beautiful theme is an English Horn. In a break from tradition, this song starts with the chorus.

Terrell Moran - Lead Vocals; Big Al - Backing Vocals, fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

6) Need To Know (4:32)

Almost funk, but not a ballad. About verbalizing the things that often are understood and left unsaid.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

7) Waiting (4:58)

Bluesy slow funk, almost a ballad. About keeping and breaking promises to show up and the angst and confusion it brings when broken.

Terrell Moran - Vocal; Michael A. Willis - Lead Guitar; Big Al - fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

8) Hanging Around (4:34)

A jazz ballad, semi-acoustic. About stating the intimately obvious fact of not taking for granted the grace of someone's presence.

Terrell Moran - Vocals; Big Al - fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Yamaha APX-4A Acoustic Guitar, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

9) Sometimes It?s Beautiful (4:11)

Bright, semi-acoustic jazzy pop. About the choices we make every day in human communication regarding the risks and rewards in talking to strangers.

Big Al - Vocal, fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Yamaha APX-4A acoustic guitar, MIDI drums.

Song Insights - Instrumental Songs

10) Yes I Would (3:41)

Latin / Jazz, Up-tempo Bossa Nova. This song is another rule-breaker in that the Verse sections have 3 distictly different melodies. Some body part will be moving after listening to this song for at least 30 seconds. Soprano Sax and Electric Guitar share the melody statements.

Dean Roubicek - Soprano Sax; Big Al - fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

This song is a prize winner in the Jazz category of the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

11) Pick and Roll (4:57)

Hard Funk. Good theme for the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. A sophisticated chord arrangement over aggressive funk rhythm offers soloists a favored environment. Electric Guitar melody statements and solo.

Derek Soros - Lead Guitar - Fender Stratocaster; Big Al - Alembic Essence 5 Bass, Rhythm guitar - Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

12) Curve In The Road (3:55)

Groovin Funk, Acid/Jazz. Good music to drive fast on curvy roads or the soundtrack to your morning run. A strong Bass line drives the Tenor Sax led melody.

Dean Roubicek - Tenor Sax; Big Al - Pulcinella Level 5 Bass, Fender Stratocaster, MIDI everything else.

13) Heart In My Hand (3:06)

Chamber pop, string quartet with light drums and piano. A requiem for the victims of Sept. 11 2001. A somber but beautiful piece that would do well in movie sonudtracks.

Big Al - MIDI everything.

14) Where Have You Been (3:30)

Bass Feature, yet another rule-breaker, spotlighting the electric bass as a melody instrument. A solo bass piece in 5 flavors. Your composer has in fact listened to some Mozart records.

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