The Best of the Crusaders
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This is a group which has gone under several guises, (The Swingsters, The Modern Jazz Sextet, The Nite Hawks) but finally adopted the name of 'The Jazz Crusaders' in 1961. As the name suggests their principal background is Jazz music, but in 1971 when musical demarcation lines started to become blurred they dropped the Jazz preface. From there onwards they helped pioneer the Jazz-Funk genre. Although essentially a Jazz-Funk outfit they play a broad range of music and this album not only contains many of their instrumentals, but also tracks in which they have been joined by some legendary Blues and Soul artists. The artists they have managed to attract, Bobby Womack, Bill Withers, Randy Crawford, B.B. King and Joe Cocker are testimony to their craftsmanship. Do not assume that the Crusaders are acting as backing group to these acts as more often than not it is their playing which is paramount and the singers are there to supplement their artistry. Throughout the album each of the group is given the opportunity to showcase their talents with some equally magnificent Sax, Guitar and Piano Riffs. The album begins with their biggest hit, 'Street Life' with Randy Crawford singing the vocals. It is a fabulous track which I would generally have considered far too good to make it in the pop charts. The fact that it did so means there's hope for the general public after all. All Northern Soul fans will remember their classic dance track 'Put It Where You Want It' which is another marvellous piece of craftsmanship. The fact that the group are equally at home more Moody Sounds such as 'Soul Shadows' and 'Hold On (I Think Our Love Is Changing) is testament to their versatility. The strangest song on the album is 'Better Not Look Down' with BB King. It is a song in which BB sees the queen of England, 'Looking tired, just come back from a party'. When she sees BB she asks 'Aren't you BB King?' Incredible concept, the queen going to a party. The yanks still haven't a clue about our royalty. This is a marvellous compilation and the only track I didn't like was the heavily funky 'Spiral'. Not really for the purist, but a classic for those people who like a little flavour of Jazz or Blues with their Soul. Track Listing Street Life (With Randy Crawford) Inherit The Wind (Featuring Bobby Womack) Soul Shadows (Featuring Bill Withers) Put It Where You Want It Don't Let It Get You Down Eleanor Rigby From Lighthouse '68 Honky Tonk Struttin' Snowflake Spiral The Hustler Better Not Look down (Featuring BB King) Hold On, I think Our Love Is Changing (Featuring BB King) I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today (Featuring Joe Cocker) This Old World's Too Funky For Me - (Featuring Joe Cocker)
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Why Not visit the Authors other Website, 'The Alternative Blackpool Website' at http://www.localdial.com/users/jsyedu133/bpool This Site Last Updated 18/05/05
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