Richie Kamuca - Jazz Erotica

Jazz Erotica is a title conjured from Eros, Greek goddess of Love. If you're a lover of jazz, Jazz Erotica is a MUST for you. If you're just a lover, try looking at the cover illustration as you play this album – you'll get the message. 

The group reads like the roster of Who's Who in modern jazz! Richie Kamuca gets from his saxophone the sounds which are rapidly bringing him to the top. Conte Candoli and Ed Leddy play a pair of faultless trumpets. Frank Rosolino's trombone is the most. Vince Guaraldi's precision piano is at the right place at the right time. Monte Budwig's bass solos frequently, and the drum beat of Stan Levey is urgent, exciting. 

Bill Holman does the arrangements and his antics on baritone are almost unbelievable. Two interesting originals by Bill Holman are "Blue Jazz" and "'Way Down Under". They have the Holman touch, a large credit in itself. Bill's compositions and arrangements are each studied, carefully planned successes; no ad lib, nothing happens by chance. Not too far out, but a long'ways from being square, Bill's arrangements and the polish of this group of top jazz All Stars will send the true lover of jazz, and pique the interest of the jazz novice.

As you play this album, your room will become alive with brass sounds that ARE brassy; drum and brush sounds that seem to be right there; and the full bass beat that is so important. *(Liner notes)*

Richie Kamuca recorded less than a dozen dates as a leader prior to his death (one day shy of his 47th birthday) in 1977, and this long out of print LP release by HiFi in 1959 may be the hardest one to find. The tenor saxophonist leads a strong octet, with trombonist Frank Rosolino, trumpeters Conte Candoli and Ed Leddy, pianist Vince Guaraldi, bassist Monte Budwig, drummer Stan Levey, and baritone saxophonist Bill Holman, who wrote the arrangements, too. The charts are good examples of cool jazz and feature rich ensembles behind the soloists, especially on standards like "Angel Eyes" and "Indiana". "Blue Jazz" (oddly credited to the leader on the label but Holman in the liner notes) and a brisk "Stella By Starlight" feature Kamuca in a stripped-down setting with the rhythm section. Expect to pay a premium price for this LP. *Ken Dryden*

1 - 'Way Down Under

(Bill Holman)

2 - Blue Jazz

(Bill Holman)

3 - Angel Eyes

(Matt Dennis, Earl Brunt)

4 - Stella By Starlight

(Victor Young, Ned Washington)

5 - Star Eyes

(Don Raye, Gene DePaul)

6 - I Hadn't Anyone Till You

(Ray Noble)

7 - Linger Awhile

(Vincent Rose, Harry Owens)

8 - The Things We Did Last Summer

(Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn)

9 - If You Were No One

(Bill Holman)

10 - Indiana

(James Hanley, Ballard MacDonald)

#2, #4, #7, #9:

Richie Kamuca Quartet

Richie Kamuca (tenor sax), Vince Guaraldi (piano), Monty Budwig (bass), Stan Levey (drums).

Recorded at Vista de Oro Studio, Los Angeles, California, May 26, 1957.

#1, #3, #5, #6, #8, #10:

Richie Kamuca Octet

Richie Kamuca (tenor sax); Conte Candoli, Ed Leddy (trumpets); Frank Rosolino (trombone); Bill Holman (baritone sax); Vince Guaraldi (piano); Monty Budwig (bass); Stan Levey (drums).

Recorded at Vista de Oro Studio, Los Angeles, California, May 27, 1957.

Arranged and conducted by Bill Holman