Jazz Crusaders: Freedom Sound (Blue Note Tone Poet) LP

The Jazz Crusaders officially became The Jazz Crusaders with the release of Freedom Sound, their 1961 debut on Pacific Jazz. The Houston, Texas-founded band had gone through several changes—both in name and location - when they arrived in Los Angeles and eventually got their lucky break when fellow Houstonian saxophonist Curtis Amy recommended them to Pacific Jazz founder Richard Bock. Freedom Sound began a decade-long association with the label that was both prolific and tremendously successful. The blueprint of the band's enticing sound was already firmly in place, blending jazz aspirations with R&B roots for a potent dose of hard bop, soul jazz, gospel, and Texas blues. The band's core members - drummer Nesbert "Stix" Hooper, pianist Joe Sample, trombonist Wayne Henderson, and tenor saxophonist Wilton Felder -are joined here by bassist Jimmy Bond and special guest Roy Gaines contributing guitar to two tracks. Highlights of the set include Felder's opening 6/8 blues "The Geek" and Sample's stately civil rights anthem "Freedom Sound," which gave the album its title.