King Curtis - Jazz Masters (2020)

King Curtis was the last of the great R&B tenor sax giants. Born Curtis Ousley in Fort Worth, Texas, he came to prominence in the mid-'50s as a session musician in New York, recording, at one time or another, for most East Coast R&B labels. A long association with Atco/Atlantic began in 1958, especially on recordings by the Coasters. He recorded singles for many small labels in the '50s -- his own Atco sessions (1958-1959), and Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/Tru-Sound for jazz and R&B albums (1960-1961). Curtis also had a number one R&B single with "Soul Twist" on Enjoy (1962). He was signed by Capitol (1963-1964), where he cut mostly singles, including the number 20 R&B hit "Soul Serenade." He returned to Atco/Atlantic in 1965, where he remained for the rest of his life. He had solid R&B single success with "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). Beginning in 1967, Curtis started to take a more active studio role at Atlantic, leading and contracting sessions for other artists, producing with Jerry Wexler, and later on his own. He also became the leader of Aretha Franklin's backing unit, the Kingpins. He compiled several albums of singles during this period. All aspects of his career were in full swing at the time he was murdered in 1971. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
© Bob Porter /TiVo

Tracklist
01. King Curtis - Close Your Eyes
02. King Curtis - Unchained Melody
03. King Curtis - Off Shore
04. King Curtis - Nearness of You
05. King Curtis - Misty
06. King Curtis - Stranger
07. King Curtis - When I Fall in Love
08. King Curtis - It Ain't Necessarily So
09. King Curtis - Our Love Is Here to Stay
10. King Curtis - My Love Is Your Love
11. King Curtis - Sweet and Lovely
12. King Curtis - Azure
13. King Curtis - The Lone Prarie
14. King Curtis - Jay Walk
15. King Curtis - Da-Duh-Dah
16. King Curtis - Have You Heard!
17. King Curtis - Willow Weep for Me
18. King Curtis - Little Brother Soul
19. King Curtis - In a Funky Groove
20. King Curtis - Soul Meeting
21. King Curtis - Lazy Soul
22. King Curtis - All the Way
23. King Curtis - Jeep's Blues
24. King Curtis - What Is This Thing Called Love
25. King Curtis - Do You Have Soul Now!