Part of the trick, of course, was a heavy emphasis on up-tempo tunes which gave full rein to their swinging rhythm section and their powerhouse guest artists: Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax and Clark Terry on trumpet. Another element, as always, was their breezy showmanship, enhanced no end by Dave Lambert’s whaling master’s beard and bouncy personality; Jon Hendricks’ irrepressible cheeriness and bubbling exuberance; and Yolande Bavan’s exotic beauty and electric magnetism. Their buoyant joy reaches out to listeners, for L, H & B simply explode with good spirits and an obvious love for what they do.

What can you have but fun with three such delightful talents? Their tongue-twisting, musically fantastic vocal interpretations of instrumental jazz classics were a trademark which was responsible for their domination of popularity polls in publications all over the world, from Playboy to Down Beat. But they were not just a virtuoso group with a unique repertoire; they were also first-class entertainers whose comedy songs and occasional quiet moments enabled them to give a well-balanced programme every time out.

Personnel includes: King Pleasure, Jon Hendricks (vocals), Seldon Powell, Plas Johnson (tenor saxophones). (Blue Note Records)

Following in the wake of Jefferson and Pleasure was Annie Ross, later to team up with Hendricks and Dave Lambert. She does for Wardell Gray what Jefferson and Pleasure had done for James Moody and Lester Young. This includes the original recording of "Twisted" as well as Pleasure evergreens "Parker's Mood" and "Red Top."

With the addition of "I'm in the Mood for Love" (formerly titled "Moody's Mood for Love," Pleasure's biggest hit) and three other bonus tracks, this Compact Disc now contains virtually everything King Pleasure recorded for Prestige. (Fantasy, Inc.)