"The Sun Died" by Hank Crawford
An exceptional Creed Taylor-produced piece of soul-jazz from the early-'70s.
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A former member of the legendary Ray Charles’ backing band, Hank Crawford was a mighty talent on the alto saxophone with an incredibly diverse, impressive, and vast discography. Discogs lists 40 albums to his credit as leader or co-leader, starting with 1961’s The Soul Clinic.
By mixing elements of blues, gospel, soul, and other genres into his work, his catalog is a popular source of inspiration for sample-based producers. Crawford’s 1973 Creed Taylor-produced cover of Skylark’s “Wildflower” is a particular favorite. It’s been repurposed dozens of times including a prominent use in Kanye West’s Paul Wall and GLC-assisted “Drive Slow.”
Crawford notched several album releases in his belt one year before Wildflower, including Help Me Make It Through The Night. Released on the Taylor-owned CTI subsidiary label Kudu - which placed a greater emphasis on soul jazz - this album is a standout entry in Crawford’s lengthy catalog. He’s assisted by an incredible ensemble of musicians including Ron Carter, Eric Gale, Grover Washington, Jr., Bernard Purdie, Idris Muhammad, and many others. Things start strong with the irresistible opening title track, a perfectly executed groove that re-imagines Kris Kristofferson’s often-covered original.
Crawford saves the best for last and brings this eight-track effort to a powerful conclusion with a cover of Ray Charles’ “The Sun Died.” His saxophone mastery is displayed throughout the most solum entry on Help Me Make It Through The Night. He’s aided by incredible string arrangements that swirl around the sax and heighten the emotional experience. Soft percussion hits and beautifully restrained organ sounds tie the whole thing together perfectly. There’s much to unpack musically and I wouldn’t be surprised if this song becomes another Crawford sample standard someday.
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