THE JAZZ CRUZADERS: Chile con Soul

THE CRUZADERS
Inicialmente, com o nome de "Jazz Cruzaders", o grupo tocava "straight-ahead-jazz". Mais tarde mudaram o estilo e passaram a tocar uma "fusion" de jazz com R&B, Soul e Funk. Formado por grandes músicos, dos quais os mais proeminentes em suas carreiras solo foram Joe Sample, Larry Carlton e Hubert Laws, os "Cruzaders", diferentemente do "Chicago" e do "Blood, Sweat & Tears", fizeram uma fusão do jazz com outros estilos de música proeminentemente de raízes negras, sem "rock-and-roll".
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ALBUM REVIEW
The Jazz Crusaders are among the most underrated jazz combos to have evolved from the post-bop movement. The original quartet blended its undeniably strong R&B and soul music influences into equally unique and rhythmically charged jazz progressions that likewise hark back to the bop mastery roots of Miles Davis or Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers -- from whom the... More Jazz Crusaders boldly acknowledge their own
name. By the mid-'60s, the combo had expanded to feature the formidable talents of co-founders Joe Sample (piano), Wilton Felder (tenor sax), and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (drums) along with longtime members Wayne Henderson (trombone) and Hubert Laws (flute). With the addition of the legendary Al McKibbon (bass) earlier in the decade, the band's sound began to shift. Chile con Soul (1965) is one of the best examples of the Jazz Crusaders at one of the many musical pinnacles in their 30-plus year existence. As one might anticipate, this long-player features some heavily Latin-flavored material. The LP's eight sides are further authenticated by percussionists Carlos Vidal (who played with Charlie Barnet's band as far back as the late '40s), Mongo Santamaria, and Cal Tjader veteran Carmelo Garcia. From the soulful strut of Sample's opening "Agua Dulce (Sweetwater)" or Laws' midtempo counterpart, "Tacos," Chile con Soul provides a funky façade that complements the fiery "Latin Bit". Pretty good stuff.
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MINHA OPINIÃO : neste álbum, ainda com o nome de "Jazz Cruzaders", foram convidados Clare Fischer e Al McKibbon, notórios por sua paixão pela música "afro cubana". Além deles, incluiram os percussionistas Carmelo Garcia e Carlos Vidal, resultando num álbum com cores totalmente latinas que, nem de longe, sugerem o estilo personalíssimo que viria a ser a marca registrada dos Cruzaders. Grande álbum que nos foi oferecido por nosso amigo LUIZ HARDING. Valeu, LH!
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THE JAZZ CRUZADERS: Chile con Soul

PERSONNEL:
Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone)
Wayne Henderson (trombone)
Hubert Laws (flute)
Joe Sample (piano)
Clare Fischer (organ)
Al McKibbon (bass)
Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (drums)
Carlos Vidal (congas);
Hungaria "Carmelo" Garcia (timbales, cowbell).

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1 Agua Dulce (Sweetwater)
2 Soul Bourgeoisie
3 Ontem a Noite
4 Tough Talk
5 Tacos
6 Latin Bit
7 Breeze and I, The
8 Dulzura