Street Life

1	Street LIfe 11:18
2	My Lady 6:43
3	Rodeo Drive (High Steppin') 4:28
4	Carnival Of The Night 6:24
5	The Hustler 5:18
6	Night Faces 5:10

Barnes & Noble

One of the most popular contemporary jazz acts of the 60s, 70s, and early 80s, the Crusaders scored their biggest hit with the 1979 classic, STREET LIFE. As the title suggests, STREET LIFE crackles with the energy of the streets, painting evocative pictures of, well, street life. "The Hustler" is a slinky, bluesy number, while "Carnival of the Night" swings with an infectious funk beat. But the album is best known for its classic title track, which features a powerful vocal by singer Randy Crawford. In the album's liner notes, drummer Stix Hooper writes: "Here's to the streets of the world that blossom forth a bouquet of humanity with all of its feelings of love, hate, pleasure and pain. As this scenario unfolds through our music, may a facet of your existence be touched." It certainly is. Lucy Tauss

All Music Guide

Although the Crusaders could not have known it at the time, their recording of "Street Life" (which features a memorable vocal by Randy Crawford) was a last hurrah for the 20-year old group. Their recordings of the next few years would decline in interest until the band gradually faded away in the '80s. However this particular set is well worth picking up for the 11-minute title cut and there is good playing by the three original members (Wilton Felder on tenor, soprano and electric bass, keyboardist Joe Sample and drummer Stix Hooper) along with guitarist Barry Finnerty; horn and string sections, plus additional guitarists are utilized on Sample's commercial but listenable arrangements Scott Yanow