Crusaders 1

The Crusaders | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Thumb
• ASIN: B000GPI1E6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,667 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Album #1 for Blue Thumb after the Jazz Crusaders dropped the "Jazz" in their name and added the funk! Includes Put It Where You Want It; That's How I Feel; Three Children , and more eminently tasteful, eminently groovalicious sounds from 1971.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Masterpiece of Music, April 29, 2007

By 

We No Speak "jazzrockworld-dot-com" (The Oregon Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusaders 1 (Audio CD)

This Cd is one of the reasons Jazz Rock Fusion gained the immense popularity it had back in the early 70's. This was also the first time folks were exposed the the genius of Larry Carlton.

Few recordings classify as a masterpiece in any genre, but this amazing recording is directly responsible for so many people falling in love with Fusion and Crossover music well before the wildly successful "Breezin" by George Benson came out three years later. Some would call it a Smooth Jazz masterpiece, others a Jazz/Fusion masterpiece, and still others an R&B masterpiece. Even for those (like me) that think Miles Davis' land mark recording "Bi****s Brew" changed the world, Crusaders 1 still stands tall after all these years. Another mark of a true Masterpiece.

In fact at the time the original album was released it hit the Billboard charts in more than one category:

*1972 Crusaders 1 Black Albums 29
*1972 Crusaders 1 Jazz Albums 3
*1972 Crusaders 1 Pop Albums 96

*Information courtesy of Billboard dot com

No matter how you look it, this Cd is a "must have" for any collection. The only reason I didn't write a review sooner (it's been out for almost a year), is because I loved this album so much, I tracked it down and bought the Japanese Import that was released in 1993.

As the owner of Jazz Rock World and a "Fusion Specialist" I can tell you that this Cd is not a typical Fusion shredfest, wankathon, "too many notes", musically self indulgent, or another boring "what are they doing?" collection of songs. This outing finds the Crusaders (having recently dropped the word Jazz from their name) writing and covering some fantastic material full of the most tasteful "jazzy" sounding music ever recorded.

From beginning to end, this CD is ear candy for adults with a yearning for good music with "class", "style", and played by musicians of exceptional talent.

I don't know who is responsible for finally bringing this classic out of the vaults for the US market, but I would personally like to extend my heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude for making it happen.

Rick Calic
Jazz Rock World dot Com

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get It, November 2, 2006

By 

T. Kelly - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crusaders 1 (Audio CD)

When I first heard this rendition of So Far Away on the radio, I immediately went out and bought the album. I've been a fan of the Crusaders ever since and have also bought various members' solo efforts, but I've always felt this is their best work. I like the whole album, but I love this song! Over the years, I've always looked for it on CD, and now it's finally available. The lyricality of the melody as the members take their turns with it, the horns, the piano, the players all shine. This has to be one of the best recordings ever! Absolutely buy it!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars at night/in the car/travelling, July 28, 2007

By 

greg s. (Minnetonka, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusaders 1 (Audio CD)

This music is just so damn tasty, it is mystical. These guys were born to play together. I agree with another reviewer about So Far Away, and Larry Carlton's guitar. I also love the trombone playing, simply because of the way he plays; the notes and phrasing he uses. Really though, it is a SUM being (even) greater than its parts phenomenon.