King Curtis - Night Train (1995)

King Curtis, R&B's great tenor sax player, rides grooves like a cowboy does unruly steeds. Curtis blows ferociously but is always in control, unlike Junior Walker, whose sax seems to be cussing you out at times (which is Walker's charm). Accompanied by several noted jazz artists -- Jack McDuff (organ), Eric Gale (guitar), Willie Rodriguez (bongos, conga), and Ray Lucas (drums) -- Curtis serenades and balms on "Harlem Nocturne," bops-u-silly on "Honky Tonk," and boogies on "The Hucklebuck" and "(Let's Do) The Hully Gully Twist." But those are only a small part of the 22 tracks, all of which emphasize Curtis' patented groove and powerful exhortations. Engineer Rudy Van Gelder keeps the sound squeaky clean and the levels balanced. Excellent party or card game music.