Royal Jam is a live recording by the jazz-funk band The Crusaders with B.B. King, Josie James and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The album was recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Critical reception

Richard S. Ginell of Allmusic claimed "Around this time in their heyday, the Crusaders were experimenting with orchestral/jazz fusions in concert -- and MCA thought enough of them to capture the music in London's Royal Festival Hall one fine summer...it's one of the band's most enjoyable albums of that period."

Track listing

All songs written by Joe Sample and Will Jennings except as noted.

1. "Overture (I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today)" – 5:51

2. "One Day I’ll Fly Away" – 5:49

3. "Fly with Wings of Love" (Joe Sample) – 9:49

4. "Burnin’ Up the Carnival" – 5:44

5. "Last Call" (Sample) – 7:59

6. "The Thrill Is Gone" (Roy Hawkins, Rick Darnell) – 5:26

7. "Better Not Look Down" – 6:22

8. "Hold On" – 4:23

9. "Street Life" – 7:56

10. "I Just Can’t Leave Your Love Alone" – 4:15

11. "Never Make a Move Too Soon" (Stix Hooper, Will Jennings) – 4:12

Personnel

1. The Crusaders

2. Wilton Felder – saxophones

3. Joe Sample – keyboards, arrangements & orchestration

4. Stix Hooper – drums, percussion

5. Guest artists

6. B.B. King – vocals, guitar

7. Josie James – vocals (on "Burnin' Up The Carnival" and "Street Life")

8. Members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Conductor: Sidney Reginald Garris

9. Guest musicians

10. Barry Finnerty, David T. Walker – guitar

11. James Jamerson Jr. – bass

12. Efraim Logreira – special percussion

13. Galen Senogles – mixing

References