The Crusaders
19
Vinyl
13 offers from $4.00

From the brand

Vinyl of the Month Club
Best Sellers
New Releases
Digital Albums on Amazon Music

Track Listings

1	Rural Renewal
2	Creepin'
3	Heartland
4	Healing Coming on - the Crusaders, Donnie McClurkin, Sounds of Blackness
5	Sing the Song - the Crusaders, Donnie McClurkin
6	Shotgun House Groove
7	Territory
8	Greasy Spoon
9	Viva de Funk
10	Lazy Sundays
11	Goin' Home

Editorial Reviews

RURAL RENEWAL, released in 2003, re-unites founding Crusaders members Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper. Known for their late 70's world wide hit "Street Life", RURAL RENEWAL revisits their soulful jazz heritage with contributions from guitarist Eric Clapton on "Rural Renewal" and "Creepin" and vocalist Donnie McClurkin on "A Healing Coming On" and "Sing the Song". Produced by Stewart Levine, with additional guitars by Ray Parker Jr., RURAL RENEWAL continues where The Crusaders left off over two decades ago.

Product details

Language ‏ : ‎ English
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.71 x 5.13 x 0.37 inches; 3.2 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ BAD DOG / PRA RECORDS
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 0782356090729
Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2016
SPARS Code ‏ : ‎ DDD
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2008
Label ‏ : ‎ BAD DOG / PRA RECORDS
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0012IWI72
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #267,897 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #1,361 in Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo (CDs & Vinyl)
- #2,395 in Jazz Fusion (CDs & Vinyl)
- #2,486 in Smooth Jazz (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 58 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

Important information

To report an issue with this product, click here.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

58 global ratings

1 star

0%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

piperglenn

Sweet!!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2003

Verified Purchase

There are very few musicians/groups whose new recordings I'll buy sight unseen. But when I found out The Crusaders reunited, I immediately pre-ordered this CD. I'm happy to say this recording completely lived up to my expectations. The music is so good it makes you hope traffic slows you down so you can listen a little longer.
One of the things that make this CD so great is the core group of musicians; Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper. On their own they are great, especially Joe Sample. In fact, if you like this recording, I highly recomend his CD, "Sample This." Wilton Felder has a very unique sound on the tenor sax and his solos are goose-bump inspiring. Stix Hooper lays down just the right beat to keep the groove percolating. Now, put these guys together and you can't help but have a jazz/soul fest the likes of which no one else can match.
Another nice touch to this CD is the liner notes. They explain a little about the history of the group, how it formed, dissapated, then, came back together for this recording.
This is great, toe-tapping, feel-good music. I can't recomend it highly enough.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ed Mandler

Jazz Crusaders

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2003

Verified Purchase

I have been a Crusaders fan since 1960. I love them and have seen them perform many many times since 1960. I have all of their albums and cd's. Their new cd made my eyes tear up. This cd is awesome. I thank you Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Cooper. Keep recording and I will see your upcoming gigs in Southern California. My son, Adam Levy was introduced to their music at age 7. He is now the lead guitar player for Norah Jones and just released is new album, "Get Your Glow On". Again, awesome cd for the Crusaders.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

.

A nice one

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2003

Verified Purchase

It took me a while to like Rural Renewal but I finally came around. It wasn't like it was with Free As The Wind which I liked, as I recall, almost immediately. With the wealth of players on this new disc it wasn't real hard to like.
For the most part the songs are great with the exception of two. For me the real standouts are the title track and "Shotgun House Blues. In the "not bad either" category are "Creepin", "Heartland", "Greasy Spoon"-well actually all the rest.
As I said I do have some exceptions and those are the two vocal songs. I'm sure Joe Sample had a good reason to write those songs but the go to church singing is a bit too much for me.
Almost all of the intstrumentation is great with the exception of the flute in "Creepin'" and the trombone that comes out of nowhere on "Heartland."
Like I said for the most part this album rocks or should I say souls or whatever. It's not only just a great album to listen to anywhere it's great driving music. I have a subwoofer as well as a number of speakers in my car so the album sounds great there. With all the bass, that it seems they equalized way up, it gets my car pumping with the best "rice rocket" cars and their "bazooka" bass speakers, or whatever it is they use to make you notice them a few blocks away.
But back to The Crusaders and this disc. It's full of great grooves which your feet can't help but tap to. It's certainly not '77 but it goes toe to toe with the realease of that year for me.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

John F. Temmerman

Sounds like a ghost band

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2003

Verified Purchase

I had eagerly anticipated the reunion of the Crusaders. Some of their albums from the 70's are my favorites, like "Southern Comfort" and "Old Socks, New Shoes". The previews talked about new arrangements, solo space for Joe Sample (piano) and Wilton Felder (sax), and a coming together of "The Crusaders".
Don't you believe it.
This CD has several flaws:
+++First, it's formulaic
It is as if the Verve Records people sat around wondering what they could do to make it sell. Eric Clapton plays well on 2 cuts but it doesn't really sound like the Crusaders. Next, they add a gospel singer, Donny McClerkin on 2 more cuts. He sounds ok, but it's not the Crusaders - and the arrangement on his second tune, "Sing The Song" sounds like a very watered-down arrangement of "Rainy Night in Georgia" from the Old Socks, New Shoes recording.
+++Next, it's more focused on sounding like the Crusaders than on BEING the Crusaders
For the Crusaders, at their best, the intense arrangements were a springboard to long and thrilling solos by Sample, Felder, Wayne Henderson (when he was in the band) and Larry Carlton on guitar. Here, the focus is more on the arrangements that the solos. Certainly the arrangements are OK. I like that tenor/trombone sound. But the arrangements aren't the top priority for me - the solos are.
And while we are on the topic of arrangements, a couple of them sound like rehashes from former recordings. The aforementioned "Sing the Song" is one and there's another spot that sounds eerily like a tune from an early Crusaders album but I can't pin down the source right this minute.
+++Insufficient solo space for Felder
He sounds good when I can hear him. However, his solos are few and short and the mix boosts the background to the detriment of his big, southwest sound.
+++Lack of intensity
Laid back does not means boring. however, it sounds like a lot of the music was almost toned down, possibly to generate radio airplay in the smooth jazz genre. I can't think of any other reason to justify it.
+++Last, Joe Sample
The early Crusaders albums showed his considerable technique and talent. At his best, his delightfully complex, edgy solos were compelling from beginning to end. Here, they meander and go for a bland sort of groove as opposed to any sort of compelling self-expression.
On the other hand, it does sound like the Crusaders. This, I guess, is ok for background music. It'll probably get some radio play. For me, that's not good enough. I want the Crusaders, not a band attempting to sound like the Crusaders used to sound.
2 stars

21 people found this helpful

Helpful

Harold Witty

I have sampled a great deal of music over that last 40 years

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2017

Verified Purchase

So pure, so Crusaders. I have sampled a great deal of music over that last 40 years. This collection by The Crusaders is one of my go to CDs.

Helpful

Gordon J. Hoffman

Some Jazz/Blues, and some Jazz/Gospel

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2012

Verified Purchase

I especially like the composition called Creepin. The Jazz is excellent (love that electric keyboard) and the section by Clapton is great, mature, blues guitar. I will listen to this one over and over. The gospel cuts might be excellent as well, but I am not a gospel music fan.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Carolyn B. Higgins

Rural Renewal

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2009

Verified Purchase

This music is fabulous, real blues-y jazz that has one great piece after another. It's very addictive. Joe Sample is amazing, having performed as a musician for many decades. I recommend this to those who like southern jazz with a good beat and great melodies.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

sparklesm

Must have for the die hard fans.

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2014

Verified Purchase

A new sound but a good sound.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Scooby Doo

The Crusaders Reunited After 20 Years

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

Bass – Freddie Washington
Drums – "Stix" Hooper
Engineer – Rik Pekkonen
Engineer [Sounds Of Blackness] – Tom Tucker (tracks: 4)
Guitar – Arthur Adams (tracks: 5, 8, 10, 11), Dean Parks, Ray Parker Jr. (tracks: 1 to 7, 9)
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Organ [Wurlitzer], Organ – Joe Sample
Producer – Stewart Levine
Tenor Saxophone – Wilton Felder
Trombone – Steve Baxter

In 2002, Sample, Felder and Stix Hooper reunited as The Crusaders and recorded Rural Renewal. Henderson is the only original member who is absent on this solid CD. So, it’s been more than twenty years since founding members Joe Sample (keyboards), Stix Hooper (drums), and Wilton Felder (saxophones) recorded together as the Crusaders. With Rural Renewal the Crusaders get back to where they once belonged, straight to the heart of their joyous juke joint roots.

The ensemble pretty much picks up where it left off 20 years ago, including working with its old producer, Stewart Levine. Sample’s formidable compositional abilities are still at fore of the band-he penned most of the Crusaders’ tunes through the years and wrote 75 percent of Rural Renewal-and because of his songwriting, the band is able to stretch out and improv like few in contemporary jazz.

The first two cuts feature Eric Clapton on first acoustic and then electric guitar. The acoustic track is mostly a non-event, but his electric blues guitar seems to rejoice in the freedom of Sample’s loose-limbed “Creepin’.” Easily his most ambitious new composition, “Heartland,” may also be a new Sample classic, throbbing with turbulent rhythmic undertow while Felder swims out of the blue groove into Wayne Shorter’s more sharp harmonic and rhythmic waters.

The rest of Rural Renewal is clearly a Crusaders recording and the keyboardist/composer along with Felder and Hooper crafted “Heartland,” “Greasy Spoon” and “Lazy Sundays” to have that popular “same old feeling.” Vocalist Donnie McClurkin and the Sounds of Blackness appear on “A Healing Coming On,” and McClurkin croons “Sing the Song”. Sample’s “Shotgun House Groove” and Hooper’s “Greasy Spoon,” are more groovy workouts than tight constructions, with Sample’s barrelhouse boogie-woogie in “Greasy Spoon” the instrumental rule rather than the exception; Felder brandishes a rough and ready approach here like a true “Texas Renor.” They glide through their grooves, bumped along by the horns’ melodic counterpoint. Unaccredited vibraphone makes this stroll through “Lazy Sundays” sound even jauntier.

Smooth, supple Stix Hooper may be the best drummer you’ll never notice; he and fatback bassist Freddie Washington set the table for every one of these greasy spoon grooves. Sometimes their portions seem a little smaller and a little less spicy than they used to be, but this Crusaders’ menu remains tasty and satisfying.

One man who can take some of the credit for this great album 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 is a welcome addition to The Crusader catalogue. When the Crusaders are on, there's no one else quite like them.

2 people found this helpful

Bass Hound

The Crusaders are still alive? Well, they are kicking on this.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2014

Verified Purchase

I was a big Crusaders fan back in the 70s, but after SteetLife, I pretty much lost interest in their output - they just lost their way, their sound and I guess the whole jazz-funk scene took a nose-dive in general. Things have improved massively post 2000 alround, with new artists and old making records that don't have 80s drums and synth stabs recking everything.

This, however, is true return to form. It's not a rehash or retro kind of record - this is a great Crusaders record for modern times (no, I'm not talking about drum 'n bass or techno ..), and the recording quality is excellent too. Maybe the last one ever, who knows?

One person found this helpful

Arno Nym

Schade, eigentlich!

Reviewed in Germany on September 21, 2003

Verified Purchase

Ich gebe zu, dass ich mich sehr gefreut habe, als ich feststellte, dass die Crusaders endlich wieder eine CD herausgebracht haben, und auch der doch recht hohe Preis von zzt. 17,99 € hat mich nicht vom Kauf abhalten können, da ich ein echter Fan dieser Combo bin. (Das ist meine 14. Platte von ihnen.) Leider muss ich sagen, dass die CD nach meiner Auffassung deutlich hinter den meisten der früheren Scheiben zurückbleibt. Da hilft es wenig, dass Eric Clapton bei zwei Stücken gekonnt - wie auch anders - die Gitarre bearbeitet. Die Arrangements sind insgesamt außerordentlich einfallslos und wirken derart vordergründig und uninspiriert, dass man geradezu sehnsüchtig an die Platten von vor etwa 20 Jahren denkt. "Greasy Spoon" z. B. ist ein Stück, dass man von der LP "Southern Comfort" her kennt und das dort in ordentlicher Qualität dargeboten wurde. Da es sich harmonisch um einen Blues handelt (Tonika-Subdominante-Tonika-Dominante-Subdominante-Tonika) müssen spätestens die Soli/Improvisationen die ebenfalls minimalistische Melodie vergessen machen und ordentlich nach vorne gehen; was hier aber an müdem Geplätscher angeboten wird ist wohl nur für Hörer interessant, die die frühere Version nicht kennen. Leider verhält es sich mit den anderen Stücken nicht viel anders; die meisten sind einfach schon in der Substanz zu flach und werden auch durch die zweifellos guten Musiker und deren ebenso zweifellos vorhandenen Fähigkeiten nicht besser.

8 people found this helpful

Translate review to English

Hazzer

Go Crusaders

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

The Crusaders ride again.. great music, great production values, what's not to like. Must have for enthusiasts and music lovers.

Danny

Good album in very good condition

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2020

Verified Purchase

All good

See more reviews

Image Unavailable

Rural Renewal

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

From the brand

Vinyl of the Month Club

Best Sellers

New Releases

Digital Albums on Amazon Music

Track Listings

Editorial Reviews

Product details

Videos

Important information