As a band,
the Crusaders were always the most respected, as intelligence and earthiness permeated throughout their best work. The group --
Joe Sample on keyboards,
Wilton Felder on bass/saxophone,
Wayne Henderson playing trombone, and drummer
Stix Hooper -- had been together for close to 15 years when all of the work on this album,
At Their Best, was recorded. The title is somewhat misleading. These tracks were compiled from two 1970-1971 albums,
Old Socks, New Shoes and
Pass the Plate. Both efforts were released when Motown was distributing Chisa in the early '70s. During the time
the Crusaders dropped the "Jazz" part of their name, and started to simplify, but not dumb down, their arrangements.
At Their Best proves that even during this stylistic change the playing still was top notch and influential. On the track "Listen and You'll See,"
Sample's judicious electric piano is heard throughout, as it became a hallmark of their '70s work. That track, as well an updated take of their own "Young Rabbits," also has the signature sound of both
Felder and
Henderson's emotive yet restrained horn playing. A lot of cover material shows up on
At Their Best. Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falletin' Me Be Mice Elf Agin)" is quite close to the original and shows them having fun in a newer genre. The group even brings "Spanish Harlem" to life on a decidedly revamped and surprisingly exciting version. The collection finds the group no doubt doing good work, but the great work came before and after this. ~ Jason Elias