The Crusaders

In 1971, the Jazz Crusaders dropped the "jazz" from their name, went electric and added guitarist Larry Carlton to their lineup. Purists and populists can argue whether that was the right decision to make or not. Thankfully, the music on this, their first electric album (a double record set), is an unstoppable mix of slamming funk, soulful jazz and acid rock; it's so good any thought of selling out doesn't matter. Back in the day, FM radio was cool enough to latch onto the extended, breezy cover of "So Far Away."