Stix Hooper - The World Within

Following the global success of The Crusaders’ Street Life album and single in 1979, the three remaining band members – Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper – all released solo albums in quick succession.  Each of the records - Joe Sample’s Voices In The Rain, Wilton Felder’s Inherit The Wind and Stix Hooper’s The World Within - carried producer credits from all 3 musicians.  Tracks from all 3 solo albums were included in the group’s on stage set list.

Joe Sample or Wilton Felder already had established solo careers and discographies.  The World Within, however, was Stix Hooper’s first album as a leader.  In truth it is a patchy affair, however the lead-in tracks on either side are worth the price of admission.  Both Brazos River Breakdown and Cordon Bleu were aimed squarely at the feet, rather than the head.  The latter features a predictable 4/4 disco beat, zipping hi-hat and swooping syndrums.  What makes the track stand out is the charming melody line, played on musette (a type of accordion) by Frank Marocco.  

Cordon Bleu was issued as a 12” single in 1979 with Brazos River Breakdown on side 2 (in a specially extended 6:40 mix).   Two tracks – African Spirit and Jasmine Breeze – are meandering percussion-led numbers.  Side one closes on the nondescript ballad Passion; side two ends with a dreadful version of The Little Drummer Boy (yes, THAT song).  Elsewhere, Rum or Tequila has a groove but precious little melody. 

 So we are left with the prime example of a dancefloor-driven jazz album.  Ever since the days of Lee Morgan’s Sidewinder, record companies often felt the need to start either side of an album with a slice of boogaloo.  Or, in this case, jazz funk.  Or even disco jazz.  Pianist Bob James maintains that, “Back then you put the best track on Side A at the beginning and outside of the record because it always sounds best because the groove is wider” (get your heads around that one, vinyl purists…)

Nonetheless, I find it surprising that of all the Crusaders’ group and solo efforts, The World Within has not been issued on CD.  Although it’s not in any way rare on vinyl, mint copies (and good quality pressings) are hard to come by. 

As you’ve come this far, you’ve almost certainly been looking for a high-quality rip of this album.  And you know what to expect – the breezy, top-down jazz-funk of the opening tracks on sides 1 and 2.  Take time and remember the days when Cordon Bleu would fill dancefloors and blast from in-car stereos.  And recall paying an extra couple of quid to own the album before it was released in the UK (after hearing it played by Robbie Vincent or Greg Edwards…)

Track listing

1.       Brazos River Breakdown

2.       African Spirit

3.       Rum or Tequila??

4.       Passion

5.       Cordon Bleu

6.       Jasmine Breeze

7.       The Little Drummer Boy

MCG 4006 (MCA 3180)

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The Players

• Stix Hooper (drums/percussion/vocals)
• Joe Sample (keys)
• Alphonso Johnson (bass)
• Bobby Hutcherson (marimba)
• Paulinho da Costa (percussion/vocals)
• Dean Parks/Barry Finnerty/Roland Bautista (guitars)
• Kim Hutchcroft/Larry Williams/Jerry Hey (horns)
• Osamu Kitajima (koto)
• Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi)
• Todd Cochran (synths)
• Frank Marocco (musette)