The Jazz Crusaders have been functioning for some time now in their merry old soul groove, and as enjoyable as the earlier records were, one begins to wish they would forget the funk bit for a while. As Ramsey Lewis seems to be reopening the market for this type of music, no doubt the Crusaders’ policy is a paying one. They obviously have eyes on business, hence some tracks here with bossa nova and other Latin tendencies.
For the Crusaders addict, if he exists, there are still a few things to be enjoyed here. Henderson’s trombone for a start. J. J. Johnson is his mentor, true enough, but he is thankfully less clean cut, blurring the edges like some of the older men. It would be nice to hear him with a lighter, subtler rhythm section. And Felder still has that big tone that would sound fine behind a rasping blues voice, such as fellow Texan, Eddie Vinson. Unfortunately his current phrase-book is still made up mainly of Coltrane cast-offs. Like a soccer team going stale, these men could do with some fresh blood amongst them, or the chance to play in a more challenging environment. As it stands this is an excellent party record – and where a lot of jazz has lost contact with dancing, this is a good thing. But as something to listen to and be moved by, it fails on that second important playing.
Discography
(b) The Thing; (a) Sunset In Mountains; (a) While The City Sleeps; (b) White Cobra (18 min) – (b) New Time Shuffle; (a) Para Mi Esposa; (a) Soul Kosher (17 min)
(a) Wilton Felder (ten); Wayne Henderson (tbn/euphonium); Joe Sample (p); Monk Montgomery (bs); Nesbert Hooper (d).
(b) as (a). Victor Gaskin (bs) replaces Montgomery.
(Fontana 688 149 ZL 33s. 1d.)
