Customer Reviews

Those Southern Knights

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The word "vintage" is much more appropriate, I feel. This 1976 release is from way, way back in the Crusdaders' careers when trumpeter Wayne Henderson and guitarist Larry Carlton were still part of the group, not to mention Robert "Pops" Popwell who was the band's bassist. Produced by Stewart Levine, this is a collection of soulful, funky grooves over which each member gets to show his stuff. The vocal tune "Keep That Same Old Feeling" was a hit way beyond the boundaries of jazz and I remember hearing it on the radio a lot back in the day. It brings to mind something Roy Ayers might have done. The guys also got to show their vocal talents on "And There Was The Blues".

It's all good stuff but the ballads "Til' The Sun Shines" (written by Carlton) and "Serenity" (written by Felder) are my overall favourites. For Crusaders fans and fans of smooth jazz from the 70s (when smooth jazz was still being done right), this is definitely worth a look.

A much better album though, it has to be said, is the 1977 follow up to this one, Free as the Wind. It's more adventurous, more exciting and more jazzy. It also has string and horn orchestrations, arranged by group keyboardist Joe Sample. Highly recommended.

This, the last Crusader recording which includes trombonist Wayne Henderson, is one of their best sessions. The funky rhythms and laid-back soul is undeniably "Crusader". Destined to be a collectors piece.

Somehow this album is often breezed by because it was sandwiched between Chain Reaction and Free as the Wind which have better name recognition overall. Either way you cut it this album is the exact link between the two and another prime examples at The Crusaders during their prime mid/late 70's period. This album is actually quite a bit different than it's predecessor in a lot of ways. The production on this album is actually a lot fuller in some areas. Where electronics had played a minor roll previously on a lot of the songs on this album they play a very key roll. On two occasions on this album there's even collective vocals,somewhat uncommon on Crusaders albums and you get that on the heavy funk jams of "Keep The Same Old Feeling" which shares something of a Steely Dan flavor and that makes sense since they were huge participants on their [[ASIN:B00003002D The Royal Scam]' album. It all goes with the territory because both of those groups have a deep reverence and respect for a precise kind of soulfulness,something that many see as a contradiction in terms but it often ends up being one and the same and that's what this group constantly showcases. Aside from the presense of those more extended lengh cuts you have examples of the kinds of slick,smooth and well produced jazz-funk the Crusaders would make famous in the next few years on "Spiral","My Mama Told Me So","Till The Sun Shines" and "Feeling Funky". These tunes have a very forward thinking production style,again marked by some well arranged uses of electronics and some tighter,funkier jams than even before. On "Serenity" they not only slow things down a bit but some of Joe Sample's keyboard playing has a spacy,almost psychedelic quality to it that isn't as typical of his style but even for that most of the rest of the song has the flavor of a quality tone poem not too far removed from what Weather Report would do on their song "A Remark You Made" a year later. There was a lot of good musical and career momentum for The Crusaders in this area. They were putting out nothing but excellent albums and everything from 1974 through 1979 that they did is now currently in print. That says a lot for this band who have kept going and grooving pretty consistantly even when the odds of overall success weren't in their favor.

This is a great album.It features fretwork by a young Larry Carlton.Reason enough to run out and buy this classic.

This is a wonderfully smooth album that you can just put on and do whatever drive, kick back, work whatever. If you like jazz or are just getting into jazz or if you just like great music then this is a excellent investment. A rollercoaster ride of of tempos and emotions or for lack of a better word just plain COOL!! My favorite is "And Then There Was The Blues" oh so smooth. The Crusaders are ALWAYS a safe buy don't waste time go and get it.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL SELETION OF MUSIC COMPILED ON ONE CD. THIS IS GREAT MUSIC FOR THE OLD SCHOOL LISTENERS.

I first heard this album while working at a geology field camp in SE Alaska.
Even at ultra-low fidelity (remember those rectangular-shaped mono tape recorders?),
the incredible Larry Carlton solo on "And Then There Was the Blues" really grabbed
me. I rate that solo up there with the classic Steely Dan-Carlton solo Kid Charlemagne.

This is still one of my favorite Crusaders albums.

I love that album. I think It's one of the best Jazz album ever made!The songs "Spiral" and "Serenity" are so relaxing. The Crusaders are great musicians!

The Crusaders Sound Great on this Disc.The Music&Arrangements work very well all the way thru.The Grooves&Smoothness make this Recording very Complete.this Group has been Bad for so long.

it's a joy to listen to classic jaz