Liner Notes

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.