We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
In the early 70’s the LA based band the Jazz Crusaders dropped the “Jazz” from their name…presumably to attract a bigger audience. They still worked in a jazz oeuvre but also incorporated elements of funk, R&B and even rock into their stuff.
Before we get into the details of the band and the record… I need you music sleuths to help me out. One track on this record seems incredibly familiar to me but I can’t place from where. Was the Joe Sample penned “Put It Where You Want It” used as a tv theme song?…or in commercials? Maybe I just played it too much at 90fm back in the day. Do you recognize it?
Sample played keyboards in this group including some tasty Fender Rhodes. Wilton Felder and Wayne Henderson soloed well on sax and trombone. The brilliant Larry Carlton brought his sparkling guitar fills and solos to the party. The great Chuck Rainey and others held down the bottom while Stix Hooper mans the drum kit.
These guys are as tight as they come, honing their craft on many 70’s sessions for artists like Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and some excellent jazz-pop records from Michael Franks.
I have favorites all over this record including “That’s How I Feel”, ‘Full Moon”, “Mud Hole” and a total band workout on ‘Georgia Cottonfield”. Plus they give you a stretched out version of Carole King’s “So Far Away”. Hard to believe that anyone could take King’s somber ballad and turn it into a funky number…but they did it.
The Crusaders would bless us with a bunch of cool music through the 70’s. It’s just a groovy deal! Enjoy!!
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