Crusaders Finest Hour
ASIN: B00004TWRW
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The core band of the Crusaders--Wilton Felder on tenor saxophone and bass, Joe Sample on keyboards, and Stix Hooper on drums--first got together in high school in the 1950s to play modern jazz. Throughout their early career as the Jazz Crusaders, they emphasized the roots side of hard bop with strong infusions of funk, soul, and gospel, making them naturals for the rise of fusion. They reached the peak of their success in the 1970s on a series of GRP records that provides the sources for this Finest Hour collection. The band had become increasingly electronic and studio-oriented, and the result is instrumental R&B that effectively mixes Felder's powerful tenor with Hooper's strong rhythmic grooves and Sample's layered keyboards and arrangements. The early tracks get additional solo contributions from trombonist Wayne Henderson and guitarist Larry Cramer, while Randy Crawford's vocal adds another dimension to the extended "Street Beat." Sample's ballad "It Happens Everyday" shows just how lyrical the band could get. --Stuart Broomer
Crusaders Finest Hour,Crusaders,Verve,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
Average customer rating: 
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The Crusaders' Finest Hour
The Crusaders Manufacturer: Verve ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Smooth Jazz
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Verve
| Verve Music Group
| Specialty Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004TWRW Release Date: 2000-06-27 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
The core band of the Crusaders--Wilton Felder on tenor saxophone and bass, Joe Sample on keyboards, and Stix Hooper on drums--first got together in high school in the 1950s to play modern jazz. Throughout their early career as the Jazz Crusaders, they emphasized the roots side of hard bop with strong infusions of funk, soul, and gospel, making them naturals for the rise of fusion. They reached the peak of their success in the 1970s on a series of GRP records that provides the sources for this Finest Hour collection. The band had become increasingly electronic and studio-oriented, and the result is instrumental R&B that effectively mixes Felder's powerful tenor with Hooper's strong rhythmic grooves and Sample's layered keyboards and arrangements. The early tracks get additional solo contributions from trombonist Wayne Henderson and guitarist Larry Cramer, while Randy Crawford's vocal adds another dimension to the extended "Street Beat." Sample's ballad "It Happens Everyday" shows just how lyrical the band could get. --Stuart BroomerCustomer Reviews:
good Crusaders collection..........2007-06-14
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be!.......2001-10-28
Having owned some of their music on vinyl which has now been consigned to storage, I thought that buying this - presumably a selection of their best cuts - would bring back the music I had enjoyed so much in the past.
But even with the inclusion of the epocal "Street Life" it was not to be so, I'm afraid. The music seems a little limited and lacking in sophistication with a far rockier feel than I remember. Perhaps the selection didn't do this band justice or perhaps my memory of them was a little too generous. Some things are better left in the past. Perhaps this is one of them.
I could say that buying this CD for "Street Life" would be worthwhile but it would probably be better to buy the original "Street Life" album on CD for that as it has other good tracks on it.
All in all then something of a disappointment for me and not recommended.
a great collection.......2000-10-29
Average customer rating: 
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The Crusaders' Finest Hour
The Crusaders Manufacturer: Universal Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Smooth Jazz
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
ASIN: B00005S75S Release Date: 2001-12-21 |
Tracks:
Jazz Music: