Still together after 35+ years and various incarnations, the Yellowjackets still sound fresh and bright. Russell Ferrante and Bob Mintzer are still around, with Dane Alderson/b and William Kennedy/dr-synth being the newest members since Haslip and Bailey have moved on. The team still sounds together, comfortable in the mix of acoustic and electric on this latest album.
The band can still churn out exciting new material, such as “Golden State” which sounds like the hustle and bustle of LA traffic with Ferrante’s hectic piano and Mintzer’s lane changing tenor. Newer members Kennedy’s ride cymbal pushes the jagged edges and mysterious piano on “Guarded Optimism” and Alderson’s bass work around Ferrante’s fingers on “Anticipation” is warm and deft.
The quartet also does some respectful tributes to tenor players of the past; Eddie Harris is felt on the soulful and funky “Eddie’s in the House” with an irresistible soul groove, and John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is reworked with some draping strings, reharmonization and countermelody to give it a more cerebral celebration. Hints of Weather Report are delivered on the playful “Fran’s Dance” while the traditional American tune “Shanendoah” spotlights Mintzer’s glowing tenor.
Lots of tasty moments here, and the band still sounds more, dare we say, coherent? than most quartets these days.
Mack Avenue