The Gospel Crusaders – He’s All I Need

The Gospel Crusaders
He’s All I Need
FCMG 2009
www.thegospelcrusaders.com

The Gospel Crusaders – now there’s an old-school quartet moniker! – may hail from Chicago, but their bluesy traditional sound is carved right from the southern soil.

The group was formed in 1988. Rev. Leon Walker, Tommy Patrick, Kevin Lloyd and Michael Wilson are the personnel featured on the front cover of the quartet’s new album, He’s All I Need, but the liner notes indicate that Robert Pittman, Jr. joins in as well. Jamal Lewis, Ray Braswell, Jr. and Robert White are the capable musicians, with Patrick also laying down bass guitar and Lloyd on lead guitar.

The quartet’s meaty lead vocals, most of them by Rev. Walker, are backed by polished harmonies on songs running the gamut of tried-and-true quartet themes: from praise and salvation to evangelization and anticipation of an eternal home over yonder.

The hard driving “Been So Good” is the album’s highlight, with another up-tempo piece, “Leaning on Jesus,” running a close second. “The Medley” is an assortment of quartet staples, the first half delivered in delicious a cappella. I only wish it had gone on longer than two and a half minutes and was sung entirely a cappella, showcasing the quartet’s harmonic techniques.

The Gospel Crusaders have garnered “Best New Artist” honors from the American Gospel Quartet Convention and the Salute to Chicago Gospel Singers’ “Outstanding Quartet” award. He’s All I Need was released on popular quartet promoter and radio announcer Marilyn Frizzle’s FCMG imprint, so you know the group is traditional.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “Been So Good,” “The Medley,” “Leaning On Jesus.”