The Crusaders

By now the one-time Jazz Crusaders were firmly entrenched as a funk outfit and were offering dance-ready instrumentals that spotlighted the rhythm section (including guitarist Billy Rogers) and catchy hooks. Wayne Henderson had traded in his horns for the producers chair and the results are still tasty and the band sounds especially nice on the jazzier cuts, like "Marcella's Dream" and the upbeat "Merry-Go-Round." This set hit No. 1 on the jazz charts while the dance hit "Bayou Bottom" was probably the hippest thing at the disco back in 1978. Next up -- the Crusaders would experience huge crossover pop success.