"Street Life" who sings this old disco song?

Ed · May 22nd, 2003, 11:04 PM

"Street life, that's the only life I know, street life....
... for a nickel or a dime... Street Life, you can run away from home... Street life..."

It goes something like that. I first heard it a Illusions on Landsdowne Street in Boston in 1979(?) and I just can't find it. I'm not even sure that's the title.

Can anyone help?

Ed.

**efunk_adelic** · May 23rd, 2003, 02:14 AM

Sounds like "Street Life" by the "Crusaders"

**Com King** · May 23rd, 2003, 03:36 AM

Yes it's "Street Life" by Randy Crawford and the Crusaders

**Mixmachine** · May 26th, 2003, 11:12 AM

Check out the movie "Sharky's Machine" with Burt Reynolds they used this song in the opening sequence with great result, IMO, also the UK 12 " has a different mix of this song with a nice break.

**efunk_adelic** · May 27th, 2003, 01:30 AM

Originally Written by Mixmachine

Check out the movie "Sharky's Machine" with Burt Reynolds they used this song in the opening sequence with great result, IMO, also the UK 12 " has a different mix of this song with a nice break.

mixmachine,

is the song funkier? more disco? what? sounds so interesting.

**Mixmachine** · May 27th, 2003, 02:21 PM

The UK 12" release version is a 'Full Length US release mix" I don't remember ever hearing this version ever before until I got this version a year agoi, I suspect this was a US promo only, don't know for sure, anyways the remix is more funky, they boosted the bass and kick and added a midway break with nice percussion (congas) and bass solo, sax solo follows and then vocals again, If you can get this versions IMO it is a nice remix of this classic tune.

**NickNack** · May 27th, 2003, 02:47 PM

Originally Written by Mixmachine

The UK 12" release version is a 'Full Length US release mix" I don't remember ever hearing this version ever before until I got this version a year agoi, I suspect this was a US promo only, don't know for sure, anyways the remix is more funky, they boosted the bass and kick and added a midway break with nice percussion (congas) and bass solo, sax solo follows and then vocals again, If you can get this versions IMO it is a nice remix of this classic tune.

I remember some Smooth Jazz stations touting the fact that this full length version was finally put on a Crusader's CD, maybe two years ago or so. I don't know which one and the websites aren't giving time signatures on the cuts. Guess I actually might have to go to a mall (ughh). :x

**QUINNY** · May 28th, 2003, 12:29 PM

NickNack: You may be interested that Street Life original 12" version (7.44) is on Mastecuts Classic Jazz-Funk 4, along with lotsa other really good quality tracks. It is available from many sources if you're prepared to look it up. So far as I can tell, this is the version that was released in the UK, except it has a little more reverb than I remember. However, CD does tend to have this effect 'cos of its lower noise floor allowing the reverb's tail to be heard for longer.

**BrunoRepublic** · May 28th, 2003, 01:39 PM

Originally Written by QUINNY

NickNack: You may be interested that Street Life original 12" version (7.44) is on Mastecuts Classic Jazz-Funk 4, along with lotsa other really good quality tracks. It is available from many sources if you're prepared to look it up. So far as I can tell, this is the version that was released in the UK, except it has a little more reverb than I remember. However, CD does tend to have this effect 'cos of its lower noise floor allowing the reverb's tail to be heard for longer.

Or heavy hard-limiting to reduce the dynamic range, because the loudest CDs sound best, right? :-? I thought that the 12" version of "Caravan" on the Disco 54: The AVI Collection was a different mix with more 'verb, but it's just a re-edit that's been compressed to death.

**QUINNY** · May 28th, 2003, 06:01 PM

[quote="Graham Start Or heavy hard-limiting to reduce the dynamic range, because the loudest CDs sound best, right? :-? I thought that the 12" version of "Caravan" on the Disco 54: The AVI Collection was a different mix with more 'verb, but it's just a re-edit that's been compressed to death.[/quote]
No, you'll find this CD to be fairly good in this respect. It was released in 1994 or thereabouts, and it's an English label that are passionate about the records. Shame this doesn't carry over to their spelling checks and the occasional track timing.

**K-Bee** · May 29th, 2003, 02:43 AM

About Street Life.
The original version from the Crusaders "Street Life" album (MCA, 1979) clocks at 11:18 and has a long instrumental intro not included in any other versions I know of.

The 7:44 version can also be found on "Best of 12" Gold" volume 1.

Last but not least, there is another version in existence with lead vocals by BB King (of all people). it's on the "Royal Jam" double live album that the crusaders released in 1981.

**NickNack** · May 29th, 2003, 11:37 AM

Originally Written by QUINNY

NickNack: You may be interested that Street Life original 12" version (7.44) is on Mastecuts Classic Jazz-Funk 4, along with lotsa other really good quality tracks. It is available from many sources if you're prepared to look it up. So far as I can tell, this is the version that was released in the UK, except it has a little more reverb than I remember. However, CD does tend to have this effect 'cos of its lower noise floor allowing the reverb's tail to be heard for longer.

Thanks, Quinny. Something to check out. I never had the full length version of this song.