Search - Crusaders :: Rhapsody & Blues

Classic Crusaders

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 07/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember that when I reviewed the Crusaders' 1979 CD Street Life last December, I said it was possibly one of their best. I still believe that but this 1980 follow-up is not far behind. Actually, think I recommended it at the time.



They've gone for an opening vocal performance again and this time, have opted for soul legend Bill Withers, who sings the Joe Sample & Will Jennings tune "Soul Shadows". The song is available in a number of other places; Bill Withers' Bill Withers - Greatest Hits, The Crusaders' Best of the Crusaders and their Vocal Album but I'm unsure as to whethr the versions there are the original 8min 15sec full-length version here. At any rate, I'm a purist in some respects and I usually like to have these kinds of songs on the original album they came from (and with no bonus tunes or remixes).



Besides, as good as the song is, this album is about much more than "Soul Shadows". Wilton Felder, Joe Sample and Stix Hooper have cooked up another soulful mix of classic jazz-fusion. Other favourite tracks include "Elegant Evening", written by drummer Hooper and featuring a beautiful alto sax performance by Felder, the long-winding and funky title tune, written by Joe Sample and on which the man gives us a sound solo on electric piano, and the heart-rending closer, "Sweet Gentle Love" on which Felder again plays alto sax. (He plays soprano and tenor, and as does Sample play acoustic piano amd synthesizer, elsewhere on the album).



Bass is provided by Abraham Laboriel & Alphonso Johnson, percussion by Paulinho da Costa and Sheila E and Ralph Rickert plays trumpet on "Soul Shadows". Also must-mention, are guitarists Dean Parks, Roland Bautista and Phil Upchurch, who all give great performances and Bob Mann, who provides all the great guitar solos.



All in all, another great classic album by The Crusaders and another one in a long line that has made the transition in my collection, from vinyl to CD. Again, it was an expensive Japanese import but I just had to have it!"

Unforgettable

DioMio | Grandview, MO United States | 04/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The boys are at their absolute best on this album. The session guitarists do a fantastic job, for one thing. Stix is dead-on, every lick. Great drummer. Joe provides the most beautiful framework for the band. To my ear though, Wilton Felder just shines on this album. I think he's the most underrated Sax player of all time. His sound is incredible. Not just the style, but the quality of the sound he gets from his horn. The Great Wilton Felder! If you don't have this, why not?"