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