Lasting longer than most marriages, the venerable Yellowjackets celebrate 2 score year together with a classy album that straddles the line of mainstream and fusion. Founding member Russell Ferrante along with longtime member Bob Mintzer, semi-long timer Will Kennedy/dr and not quite long timer Dane Alderson/b release a solid album filled with wisdom and short on gimmicks.
Mintzer is in rich form with his tenor on the hip hoppish “Intrigue” backed by Kennedy’s backbeat, while there’s a fun pop feel to “Samaritan”. Ferrante, ever the lyricist, is delicate around the tasty guiding cymbals as he weaves with Mintzer’s soprano sax on “11 Mio Amico” and lovely on the soft “If You Believe” with the added wispy vocals of Jean Baylor. There’s a mellow soul to “Early”, with Alderson laying in a deep rivulet here and on the funky “Resilience”. It’s comforting to hear musicians that have nothing to prove, but lots to share.