Incredible soul-funk-jazz, their best domestic release.
10/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tight rhythms, punchy bass lines, soulful, funky guitar leads, and one of the most exciting sax/trombone combos in 70s jazz. Without a doubt a true classic and great introduction into the world of the Crusaders. A culmination of years of playing together, before their albums became overproduced. A gem for aging hipsters, jazz enthusiasts, and a revelation to the acid jazz/hip-hop crowd. Turn it up loud and groove!"
The Crusaders at their PEAK!
J. B. Trask | Phoenix, AZ USA | 01/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An excellent choice for MCA to punch out in 1997. This CD combines the complete Double LP issued in 1974 from Blue Thumb records. The original liner notes are lacking but that is the only hiccup with this CD.
The combined talents of Joe Sample(Keyboards), Wayne Henderson (Trombone), Wilton Felder(Tenor Sax), Stix Hooper(Drums) and Larry Carlton(Guitar) take this CD to the pinnacle of the Crusaders career.
Tight and well-balanced with a musical bravado that matched the time (1974). It still does.
Combine the Crusaders "Groove Crusade" with "Southern Comfort" and you will have a complete retrospective of one of the Grand Groups of Funk."
One of my all-time favorite albums
John F. Temmerman | Skokie, Il United States | 05/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD captures the Crusaders at their peak: Driving, infections rhythms, compositions built to solo over, great ensemble arrangements and top-notch solos by Wilton Felder (tenor and soprano sax), Joe Sample (piano), Wayne Henderson, trombone and Larry carlton, guitar.Tremendous music from start to finish, with Felder's tenor solo on "Whispering Pines" and soprano solo on "Lilies of the Nile" especially delightful."
Extreme Comfort in listening a band at it's heights
NDBx | New York, NY United States | 10/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here's a group of musicians with a command of a variety of styles and putting it on exhibit. Soulful, funky, clever, exotic, bluesy, improvisational, all are present. The whole quintet is here Wilton Felder on Saxophones and bass, Stix Hooper on drums, Joe Sample on Piano and Keybaords, Larry Carlton on Guitars and Wayne Henderson on Trombone. The longer pieces such as "Whispering Pines", "When There's Love Around", "Lilies of the Niles" and "Ballad for Joe Louis" are jazzier, they stretch and solo very well. Very good arrangments. There is a fine sense of dynamics. Then you have such pieces "Stomp and Buck Dance", "Time Bomb", "The Well's Gone Dry" and many of the rest where they are earthy, funky and soulful. An excellent recording by a fine group of musicians. It's hard to pick a hero in this recording, since they all shine at different spots."
This is a delight to the ears.
joe westfall | federal way, wa United States | 02/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW. The moment you press play (make sure the volume is HIGH) you will be a huge fan. The drums and bass together provide an extra funky-pocket for the rest of these guys to throw down upbeat to mellow jazz/grooves. This album has great sound quality, close to later Steely Dan albums. Buy it. Like another wrote before me, "it's greasy funk"."