The Crusaders: Street Life - 1979

From disco's rhythms, in 1979, melodic, jazz funk grooves had become a more discerning music of choice for those who found disco's poppy vibes too lowest common denominator. Nothing summed this up more than The Crusaders's huge hit, Street Life, although I have often wondered what those who bought this album expecting more of the same felt when they heard five instrumentals along with that track. The album is crammed full of superb saxophone, piano and jazzy rhythm, however. It is a lovely late night, chilled out piece of work. 

The sound quality is also outstanding, the sort of thing you used to hear played in hi-fi shops as a demonstration of the equipment’s quality. Street Life, as I said, needs no introduction, of course. It is the album's only vocal track, featuring the talents of Randy Crawford. It is presented here in its full, eleven minute plus version, with its slow, soulful introduction before that instantly recognisable horn-funky guitar riff kicks in. 

My Lady has an infectious, insistent drum beat and that typically jazz funk tinkling piano, the sort that Shakatak would come to specialise in. The saxophone soloing is superb and the track, indeed like all the album washes over you like a warm bath. Near the end it features some really good drum-sax rhythms. 

Rodeo Drive (High Steppin’) and Carnival Of The Night are largely saxophone-driven. The former is quite jaunty and has a feel of a seventies movie soundtrack, you know, as the camera sweeps over brightly lit New York streets and skyscrapers of an evening as the opening credits roll in big yellow writing. The latter has some intoxicating percussion work and a pretty irresistible series of saxophone breaks. The two tracks sort of complement each other. 

The Hustler has a bit of a blaxploitation funky vibe to it, while Night Faces is a deliciously bassy slice of dignified jazz funk to finish off the album in relaxed mood. The bass and piano interplay is excellent and that bass is just beautifully warm and melodic. Good stuff. It is a real pleasure from beginning to end.