Rural Renewal

Performer: The Crusaders
Artist: Eric Clapton; Donnie McClurkin; Sounds Of Blackness; Ray Parker, Jr.
Engineer: Rik Pekkonen; Tom Tucker, Jr.; Rik Pekkonen; Dan Pinder; Tom Sweeney; Alan Sanderson
Producer: Stewart Levine; Stewart Levine
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: The Crusaders: Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone); Joe Sample (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Stix Hooper (drums). Additional personnel: Donnie McClurkin, Sounds Of Blackness (vocals); Steve Baxter (trombone); Ray Parker, Jr., Eric Clapton, Arthur Adams (guitar); Freddie Washington (bass); Lenny Castro (percussion). Recorded at Oceanway, Cello, Hollywood, California; Record One, Sherman Oaks, California and Master Mix Studios, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Includes liner notes by David Ritz. RURAL RENEWAL was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. The Crusaders: Dean Parks, Ray Parker, Jr., Arthur Adams (guitar); Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone); Steve Baxter (trombone); Joe Sample (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ); Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington (bass instrument); Stix Hooper (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Personnel: Donnie McClurkin (vocals); Eric Clapton (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Sounds of Blackness (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Rik Pekkonen. In the '90s, things became complicated for the Crusaders fans. Keyboardist Joe Sample, and tenor saxman Wilton Felder, recorded 1991's Healing the Wounds as the Crusaders for GRP, and the mid- to late-'90s found Felder and trombonist Wayne Henderson recording for various indie labels as the Jazz Crusaders (despite Sample's objections to their use of that name). Then, in 2002, Sample, Felder and drummer Stix Hooper reunited as the Crusaders -- not the Jazz Crusaders -- and recorded Rural Renewal for Verve. Henderson is the only original member who is absent on this CD, which is surprisingly solid. Because the Crusaders/Jazz Crusaders have been in a state of uncertainly since the '80s and recorded their share of uneven, disappointing albums, one greets Rural Renewal with a certain amount of trepidation. But this release is a pleasant surprise -- in fact, it is arguably the most consistent album that the improvisers have recorded in at least 20 years. And one man who can take some of the credit for that is producer Stewart Levine, who the group worked with extensively back in the '70s. Levine is obviously a positive influence on Rural Renewal, which finds Sample, Felder, and Hooper offering an inspired dose of fusion and jazz-funk. Thankfully, Levine lets the soloists have plenty of room to stretch out. Improvisation is a big no-no on smooth jazz/NAC stations, but this 2002 edition of the Crusaders doesn't pander to radio -- instead, spontaneity prevails for Sample, Felder, and Hooper, as well as trombonist Steve Baxter, Ray Parker Jr. (guitar) and special guest Eric Clapton (who plays guitar on two tracks). Rural Renewal falls short of essential, but it's still a welcome addition to their catalog. ~ Alex Henderson The title of this fine collection of smooth, funky jazz speaks volumes of the project contained within. The occasion for a reunion of all original band members, including long-time absentee drummer Stix Hooper, RURAL RENEWAL reconnects the Crusaders to their earthy, Texas-bred, blues-based roots. The band's previous, sometimes faltering attempts to blend hard bop with R&B are nowhere to be found: the fare here is flawless groove, with thick Fender Rhodes tones, lockstep guitar lines, punchy horn charts, and in-the-pocket bass and drum interaction, sweetened by solos all around. The sweetness is deepened by a roster of special guests that includes Eric Clapton (whose acoustic leads on the title track opener get things off to a slinky, soulful start), Ray Parker, Jr., and vocal group Sounds of Blackness (see the gospel-charged "A Healing Coming On"). Titles like "Greasy Spoon," "Viva de Funk," and "Shotgun House Groove" should tip the listener off that deep bluesy jams are on order here, and the rhythmic rapport of musicians who have played together for the better part of a half-century delivers that order in style. The music sounds no less fresh for its time-tested, down-home familiarity. A renewal indeed.

JazzTimes (4/03, p.83) - "...Sample's formidable compositional abilities are still at the fore of the band....Because of his songwriting, the band is able to stretch out and improve like few in contemporary jazz..." Mojo (Publisher) (8/03, p.104) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...While Sample's crystalline piano glistens and Felder's sax glides, the redoubtable Hopper holds everything together with tight, in-the-pocket grooves....Eric Clapton, in a couple of song-stealing cameos, supplies some tasty, blues-inflected solos..."

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5