Customer Reviews

Street Life

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

got me to buy this album when it first came out in '79. This is the album that introduced the Crusaders to a much wider audience and did the same for MISS RANDY CRAWFORD. This is a musical match made in HEAVEN. The only drawback is that Randy and the group didn't work together more often after this project.

This album is one of the classic jazz/funk exercises of the era. A time when the fusion of jazz and funk was at perfection. To me, jazz/funk has evolved into "acid jazz" more so than "smooth jazz" and with the Crusaders, and this album, you're listening to the innovators of both genres.

The jam "Street Life," starts the album off with a bang. This tune paints a picture of "street life" at its classiest, thanks to Randy's vocal performance. You are given a picture of how you can "play your life away," but because Randy's vocal is so seductive, you want to take your chances and play anyway.

From there, you move to the funky/smooth "My Lady" and Wilton Felder's melodic sax. Then it's back to groovin' with "Rodeo Drive." The Crusaders keep it funky with "Carnival of the Night" and "The Hustler." Then they smooth it out with "Night Faces."

Adding to the seductive nature of the album is Wilton Felder's horn work. It is his playing along with the standout title track that sets the mood for your musical experience. You listen to this and you can picture yourself living the "street life." A masterpiece.

Of all the great albums the Crusader's have issued, Street Life is tops. Its kind of ironic that I didn't really like the title cut when it was released,(preferring instrumentals instead) but now it is one of my two favorite cuts on the album. Its not just the tremendous voice of Randy Crawford, its the awful plain truth of the lyrics. People in the fast lane living the street life would do well to heed the song's powerful message. The instrumentals are great too, but the real stand-out is the sax-powered Rodeo Drive (High Steppin'). I can listen to that over and over again. I've owned Street Life since its release more than 20 years ago and I never get tired of hearing it as it is positively mesmerizing.

The Crusaders' 1979 album 'Street Life' would have to be one of the greatest albums ever made to date. The reason for that would have to be the classic disco-jazz-funk song of the same name in which the great soul singer Randy Crawford helped make into a huge hit.
Wilton Felder (saxophones/bass), Joe Sample (keyboards) and Stix Hooper (drums) show why they know how to keep things together on the whole album musically and universally, even with the help of other sessions musicians like bassist Robert 'Pops' Popwell and guitarist Larry Carlton and the use of some peachy string, horn or other instrumental arrangements here and there.
A Must-Buy and Must-Hear Experince for any Crusaders fans wherever you might be in the world.

it has aged extremly well.i was only 9 when this came out but was instantly hooked.randi crawford blew me away and still does.it's sad she doesn't get her true props cuz she can blow many of these so-called new jill singers out the water.wilton sounds great as does joe sample a true genius.i have there box set as well and southern comfort,chain reaction.but this disc i can listen to all the time.it's pure music with a soulful feel.just like early 70's donald byrd.

I LOVE the song "Street Life" on this album. My brother had it in the eighties. I'll never forget this song. It's really smooth jazz with a touch of commercial pop and funk. A real
treasure. They have a unique sound that crossed over from seventies disco to soft rock eighties something.

A classic 70's performance style of Crusaders, and unique voice style of Randy Crawford...Her voice and the performance of Crusaders put me the a high spirit when I listen to the title song "Street Life" every time not only in my office, but also walking down the street! None can be a subsititute of this great CD! Yes, it's a cd that I highly recommand you to buy!

I purchased a cassette of this album in Arizona when it was first released. I have worn out the Wilton Felder solo on the title song "Street Life" and can almost sing along with his solo riffs. I used to rewind the tape to the solo and play it over and over again. Joe Sample and Stix Hooper of the original Crusaders contribute to the outstanding sound heard on this album. You very seldom get a cassette, or CD, in which you enjoy every single song. This is one of those albums. A few years ago my kids purchased copies of the CD and played it at college parties at the separate colleges they attended. The music was always very well recieved by the younger crowd, even 20 years after it was first released. I finally had to retire the tape but after purchsing the CD I made tape to play in my car cassette player. A truly fantastic group of songs. I highly recommend this album to jazz lovers everywhere.

Almost thirty years later,this is still one of the most prolific albums of all time. I was all of nine years old when the single "Street Life" debuted on what we now call urban radio. Although the Crusaders are considered a jazz ensemble, the understated rawness and delivery of Ms. Crawford made this song a hit, and as a result, a crossover sucess in the r&b genre. The lyrics paint such a vivid picture and a cautionary tale of life in the streets, and it still rings true today. As far as I am concerned, the intro to this song is the most epic and complete, even today with its wailing saxaphone solo. There are some songs that will forever be imbedded in your mind because it takes back to that place, and this album for me is one of them. Pick it up!!!!

Another great album in my collection has just made it from vinyl to CD. These dudes have a vast catalogue of great albums but this one is not just about the brilliant "Street Life" featuring Randy Crawford on vocals, (though in my opinion it would be worth buying for that song alone). No, this is possibly Crusaders at their funky, soulful, jazzy best. The other five songs here - two written by keyboardist Joe Sample, two by saxophonist Wilton Felder and one by drummer Stix Hooper, are all gems in their own right and classic Crusaders. Watch out also, for some exciting guitar solos from Barry Finnerty. With no bonus tracks and no fancy remixes, this is the album as the band originally intended. 39mins and 22sec might sound short in today's money but believe me, they make every second count. I love it. I believe this album is a must-have for any jazz fusion fan.

But even if you're not into jazz or are thinking of getting into it for the first time, this is a nice album to start you off. You may also want to consider another of their masterpieces: "Rhapsody and Blues". It has the classic song, "Soul Shadows" featuring the legendary Bill Withers on vocals.

I have owned or listened to most of what The Crusaders have done over the years. This CD is their best and my favorite. The top songs are the title track and Rodeo Drive (High Steppin'). The other selections are good too. If you like music with a lot of horns and an upbeat tempo this will satisfy your needs. If you are a new fan this is the place to start!