King Pleasure - Don't Get Scared: The Complete Singles

Don't Get Scared - The Complete Singles is the definitive portrait of King Pleasure, the singer who transformed bebop improvisation into storytelling song. Spanning recordings made between 1952 and 1962, this CD brings together every single he released, from the breakthrough classic "Moody's Mood for Love"-the record that took vocalese from hip after-hours clubs to the national charts-to later gems drawn from the solos of Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Stan Getz and beyond. Along the way, Pleasure is joined by an extraordinary cast including Blossom Dearie, Betty Carter, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, J. J. Johnson, Kai Winding and Quincy Jones, capturing a golden decade of modern jazz in the studio. Remastered with care and fully annotated, this collection traces the evolution of a cool, intimate voice that could swing hard while sounding completely natural. Whether backed by small combos, vocal groups or all-star ensembles, King Pleasure's phrasing, wit and emotional clarity shine through on every track. More than a historical overview, Don't Get Scared is a vivid reminder of why King Pleasure remains one of the most influential-and most listenable-figures in jazz vocal history.