ROCK-A-RAMA

KING PLEASURE - Moody's Mood For Love (United Artists):: This is part of UA's "Douglas Collection," a series of re-releases of choice sets by premier jazz people — Coltrane, Billie Holiday, et numerous al. — complete with extensive discography. Most people have had a taste of most jazz, but I doubt if you've ever heard anything like King Pleasure. He does chestnuts like "Old Black Magic" and "It Might As Well Be Spring," but with the help of the most incredible scat-singing in the history of the cosmos. And instead of riffing on gibberish syllables, he does it all with words — in the time it takes you to decide to open your mouth, this dude has ripped off two or three paragraphs, and, you can understand every word. Put plainly, the man has such mind-boggling control of his voice that it is at once voice and instrument. Hear it to believe it.

ERIC KAZ — If You're Lonely (Atlantic):: Kaz is one of the best songwriters in the country and Tracy Nelson is his best interpreter, especially on "Deliver Me," an apotheosis of country religion. But Kaz is not a singer, not yet, anyway. Why do all sessionmen have to be superstars and all songwriters singers? What's the meaning of life? Who wrote the book of love? Since you know who sang it and not who wrote it I guess that answers the questions.