Born Curtis Ousley in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas, King Curtis went on to become one of the great popular saxophonists in black music. He also appeared on countless recordings with everyone from Buddy Holly to The Coasters and he scored a No 1 US R&B hit with Soul Twist. Throughout the 60s he established a career with such hits as Soul Serenade and Memphis Soul Stew. However, in spite of the soul-drenched instrumentals that became his trademark, King Curtis still had a great love of jazz and he made several albums, very much in a Gene Ammons mould, in the early 60s. Trouble In Mind and It's Party Time With were two of them. Trouble In Mind was originally released as TRU-15001 in 1961 while It's Party Time With King Curtis came out as TRU-15008 the following year. Both capture the saxophonist blowing in a fairly straight-ahead mainstream jazz manner, but as always with his blues and gospel roots showing through, and a nod towards the latest dance crazes (at the time both the Hully Gully and The Twist). Sadly, in 1971, King Curtis died, stabbed to death outside his West 86th Street, New York apartment.Share