Search - Jazz Crusaders :: Freedom Sound

The recording genesis of The Jazz Crusaders.

Music lover | Burnsville, MN United States | 11/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"[From the liner notes by John William Hardy who was present at the Jazz Crusaders 1961 audition for Pacific Jazz.] "In my listening experience, it has been some time since an unknown and unrecorded group has made a more auspicious debut." I couldn't agree more! Within 3 hours of the start of their audition, the contents of (this) their first LP were being chosen. The resulting tracks were "The Geek" (5:38), "M.J.S. Funk" (5:56), "Coon" (4:19), "Freedom Sound" (8:23), "Theme From Exodus" (3:50)and "That's It" (4:44). The CD version also includes alternate takes of "M.J.S. Funk" (8:14) and "Coon" (5:45).



FREEDOM SOUND introduces us to The Jazz Crusaders: Wilton Felder (tenor sax), Wayne Henderson (trombone), Joe Sample (piano) and Stix Hooper (drums) with guests Roy Gaines (guitar on 4 tracks) and Jimmy Bond (bass) striking an incredibly likable and unique sound landing somewhere between hard bop and soul jazz. The quality and fine execution of their sound is already in place as they play all original compositions (by Felder, Henderson and Sample) with the exception of their excellent take on "Theme From Exodus".



This is decidedly jazzier than the early to mid-70's Crusaders sound which I first came to love. The excellence of FREEDOM SOUND has only ignited the burning desire to undertake the difficult quest of obtaining all the early Jazz Crusaders recordings I can get may hands on. Search high, search low, you'll enjoy this wonderful recording!"