At The
Lighthouse '62 (+ 5 Bonus Tracks)
Jazz
Crusaders
Featuring: Wayne Henderson (tb), Wilton
Felder (ts), Joe Sample (p), Victor Gaskin (b), Nesbert 'Stix' Hooper (d)
REFERENCE: FSRCD 807
Fresh and
spirited, the Jazz Crusaders were one of the best exponents of the fast moving
Los Angeles soul jazz scene of the early ‘60s. Firmly rooted in tradition, yet
they radiated a stimulatingly youthful exuberance evident in these extrovert
live recordings at the famous Lighthouse in August 1962, and in three studio
recordings from a few weeks later.
The program—with the exception of Jackie McLean’s Appointment in Ghana relied
primarily upon the group’s challenging record library. Felder, as many Texas tenor
men do, seasoned his hard, sinewy sound with a driving blues approach and a
pinch of soul. Trombonist Henderson’s attack is clean and his sound rich and
full of colour. A really cohesive rhythm section featuring pianist Joe Sample’s
very personal solo style, is anchored by young bassist Victor Gaskin’ subtle
strength and infectiously booming, fat sound; he had recently arrived from New
York to become the second bassist associated with the group since the original
member, Jimmy Bond, left in the summer of 1962. And on drums, Stix Hooper plays
hard without overwhelming his colleagues. That the Jazz Crusaders stirred great
excitement within their audience is clear in this buoyant set of powerful
in-person performances.
Tracklisting:
01. Introduction by Emcee Ken Jones
(KABC jazz) 0:15
02. Congolese Sermon (Henderson) 6:50
03. Cathy’s Dilemma (Henderson) 7:07
04. Blues for Ramona (Hooper) 7:13
05. Weather Beat (Sample) 7:02
06. Scandalizing (Sample) 7:11
07. Appointment in Ghana (McLean) 6:53
08. Penny Blue (Sample) 7:24
09. Boopie (Felder) 9:13
10. The Thing (Sample) 4:43 (Bonus Track)
11. White Cobra (Sample) 4:47 (Bonus Track)
12. New Time Shuffle (Sample) 4:44 (Bonus Track)
Sources:
Tracks 1-7, from the album
“At The Lighthouse” (Pacific Jazz PJ-57)
Tracks 8 & 9, not on the LP configuration
Tracks 10-12, from the album
“The Thing” (Pacific Jazz PJ-87)
Personnel in al tracks:
Wayne Henderson (tb), Wilton Felder (ts), Joe Sample (p), Victor Gaskin (b),
Nesbert “Stix” Hooper (d).
Tracks #1-19, recorded live at the Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, August 5, 1962.
Tracks #10-12, recorded at the Pacific Enterprises, Inc., Los Angeles,
September 24, 1962.
Recordings produced & recorded by Richard Bock
Original art design & photos by Woody Woodward and William Claxton
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered