Celebrating the smooth jazz giant's 25th anniversary as an ensemble,
Twenty Five features the Yellowjackets performing live in Paris in 2005.
Showcasing the tenor sax talents of Bob Mintzer, the band also includes
longtime members pianist Russell Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and
drummer Marcus Baylor. Here, the Yellowjackets run through such fan
favorites as "Geraldine," "Greenhouse," and others. Also included is a
live DVD performance filmed in Italy in 2005. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 Revelation 7:38
Russell Ferrante
2 Geraldine 9:06
Russell Ferrante
3 Jacketown 10:55
Russell Ferrante
4 Sea Folk 11:05
Russell Ferrante
5 Free Day 7:37
Marcus Baylor
6 My Old School 5:26
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
7 Greenhouse 11:08
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
8 Runferyerlife 9:39
Bob Mintzer
Credits :
Drums – Marcus Baylor
Electric Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Piano [Acoustic Piano], Synthesizer – Russell Ferrante
Producer [Produced By] – Yellowjackets
Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument [EWI] – Bob Mintzer
11.11.25
YELLOWJACKETS — Twenty Five (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
10.11.25
HOLDSWORTH · PASQUA · HASLIP · WACKERMAN – Blues For Tony (2009) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
When drummer Tony Williams died of a heart attack on February 23, 1997,
at the relatively young age of 51, it was a tremendous loss for
straight-ahead post-bop and hard bop as well as for fusion. Williams had
numerous acoustic jazz credentials (including his contributions to
Miles Davis' legendary mid-‘60s quintet), and his band Lifetime was one
of the most important fusion outfits of the ‘70s. The late drummer's
fusion side is what electric guitarist Allan Holdsworth, electric
bassist Jimmy Haslip (of Yellowjackets fame), keyboardist Alan Pasqua,
and drummer Chad Wackerman pay tribute to on Blues for Tony, an
excellent two-CD set that was recorded live in 2007. Forming a quartet,
the improvisers remember Williams not by trying to sound like a carbon
copy of Lifetime, but rather by celebrating the overall spirit of
Williams' fusion output. Holdsworth, in fact, worked with Williams when
he replaced John McLaughlin as Lifetime's guitarist in 1975; it was a
brief association (Holdsworth left Lifetime the following year),
although certainly a noteworthy one. And like Lifetime, this quartet
(which performs mostly material by Holdsworth and Pasqua) demonstrates
that being influenced by rock and funk and making extensive use of
electric instruments doesn't mean that a group cannot maintain a jazz
mentality. In fact, Blues for Tony thrives on a jazz mentality.
Improvisation and spontaneity prevail, and even though Blues for Tony is
by no means straight-ahead acoustic jazz, the quartet's amplified
performances can easily be described as "the sound of surprise" (to
borrow a term coined by the late jazz critic Whitney Balliett). These
performances underscore the fact that -- contrary to what myopic jazz
purists and bop snobs would have us believe -- fusion is not
pseudo-jazz. Fusion is authentic jazz, but it's authentic jazz for
people who also appreciate rock and funk. Blues for Tony is an album
that fusion lovers shouldn't miss. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1-1 Blues For Tony 11:12
Composed By – Alan Pasqua
1-2 The Fifth 8:58
Composed By – Wackerman
1-3 It Must Be Jazz 8:38
Composed By – Pasqua, Holdsworth, Wackerman, Haslip
1-4 Fred 9:56
Composed By – Holdsworth
1-5 Guitar Intro 3:35
Composed By – Allan Holdsworth
1-6 Pud Wud 9:59
Composed By – Holdsworth
2-1 Looking Glass 10:07
Composed By – Allan Holdsworth
2-2 To Jaki, George And Thad 4:51
Composed By – Alan Pasqua
2-3 San Michele 11:31
Composed By – Alan Pasqua
2-4 Protocosmos 5:46
Composed By – Alan Pasqua
2-5 Red Alert 5:50
Composed By – Tony Newton
Credits :
Bass, Producer, Edited By – Jimmy Haslip
Drums, Producer – Chad Wackerman
Guitar, Producer – Allan Holdsworth
Keyboards, Producer – Alan Pasqua
16.10.25
ERIC MARIENTHAL — It's Love (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a creative improviser and a lover of groove-oriented popular music. It's Love was produced by guitarist Chuck Loeb, who also appears throughout the set. Also in this studio band are Yellowjackets' keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Gary Novak, and bassist Tim Lefebvre. Marienthal's love of pop-soul is displayed on the album's opening number, a cover of Brenda Russell's iconic "Get Here." Introduced by Ferrante's piano and spare percussion and guitar, Marienthal's alto moves right into the melody and sticks close while digging deep into his horn's grain for emotion. When the key change happens, he syncopates the lyric flow and allows the melody to guide him. While this track has been covered by many singers, pulling it off in a contemporary jazz setting isn't easy. The temptation to show off one's chops at the expense of the tune is everywhere; Marienthal's discipline keeps him honest and he lets its original intent flow right through to the listener. He switches gears on a 21st century reading of Irving Mills' "In a Sentimental Mood," which doesn't resemble any instrumental version out there -- Loeb's solo guitar intro evokes Wes Montgomery before Ferrante and Marienthal enter and return what has long been a vehicle for jazz improvisation back into a lyric song. The title track is a haunting ballad co-written by Marienthal and Loeb, while the latter's "Two in One" is a midtempo groover with Marienthal soloing on soprano. "Babycakes" and "St. Moritz" were co-composed by the saxophonist with Lorber. The former evokes the Crusaders circa 1969 and 1970 as Marienthal uses Wilton Felder's soulful phrasing in a gospelized groove while Loeb plays tasty fills à la Larry Carlton. Lorber contributes keyboards and additional guitar, too. On "St. Moritz," Till Brönner's trumpet adds depth, density, and an added lyricism to the breezy Caribbean atmosphere until the midway point, where it gets nocturnal and funky. It's Love is a (mostly) laid-back offering, yet it's solid: beautifully arranged and executed, its silky production and emotive undertones, make it a perfect Valentine's Day soundtrack to boot.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1. Get Here 4:29
Brenda Russell
2. In A Sentimental Mood 5:20
Irving Mills
3. Can't Buy Me Love 5:48
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
4. It's Love 5:52
Chuck Loeb / Eric Marienthal
5. Two In One 6:21
Chuck Loeb
6. Costa Del Soul 5:20
Chuck Loeb / Eric Marienthal
7. Babycakes 4:41
Jeff Lorber / Eric Marienthal
8. Cafe Royale 6:00
Russell Ferrante / Eric Marienthal
9. St. Moritz 5:25
Jeff Lorber / Eric Marienthal
10. When I Found You 4:21
Brian Culbertson / Eric Marienthal
Credits :
Brian Culbertson - Composer, Engineer, Featured Artist, Keyboards, Mixing, Piano, Producer
Chuck Loeb - Arranger, Composer, Engineer, Featured Artist, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer
David Charles - Featured Artist, Percussion, Percussion Engineer
Eric Marienthal - Arranger, Clarinet, Composer, Engineer, Executive Producer, Flute, Primary Artist, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Gary Novak - Drums, Featured Artist
Jeff Lorber - Composer, Engineer, Featured Artist, Guitar, Keyboards
Jimmy Haslip - Bass (Electric), Featured Artist
Pat Bianchi - Featured Artist, Organ (Hammond)
Russell Ferrante - Composer, Featured Artist, Keyboards, Piano
Till Brönner - Featured Artist, Trumpet
Tim Lefebvre - Bass (Electric), Featured Artist.jpg)
JEFF LORBER FUSION — The Drop (2023) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
After spending 25 years recording solo and working as a first-call record producer, Jeff Lorber resurrected his Jeff Lorber Fusion to issue Now Is the Time in 2010. It marked the beginning of a real return to chart success for Lorber: The band issued eight more albums, and seven of them landed inside the Top Ten on both the jazz and contemporary jazz charts. The Drop is his 30th album and a strident, star-studded exercise in sophisticated, swinging, progressive jazz-funk. The JLF consists of the leader along with drummer Gary Novak and either longtime associate Jimmy Haslip (who co-produced with Lorber) or Cornelius Mims holding down the bass chair. Lorber's crew is also filled with guests including guitarists Paul Jackson, Jr. and Marc Lettieri (Snarky Puppy), and saxophonists Randal Clark and David Mann.
The title-track single opens the set on a deep funk groover with syncopated groove horns courtesy of Mann and Clark, breaking snares and hi-hats, and a wonky, rumbling bassline from Mims. Lorber's acoustic and Rhodes pianos weave through the swaggering backbeat in a manner that recalls the glory days of CTI (Mann was part of the label's studio stable). "Altered State" is a midtempo, cinematic groover played by the trio with Haslip on six-string bass adding lyric components to the already pronounced melody supplied by Lorber's tasty piano vamps. "New Mexico" returns to hard-grooving urban jazz-funk. Tight piano vamps and imaginative single lines frame a finger-popping riff by the rhythm section. As the choruses emerge, they are given heft by the horns and Lettieri's lead guitar, and the tune becomes an anthem by its close. "Hang Tight" is a lithe, nocturnal, almost quiet storm instrumental for the chill-out room. It contains excellent rhythm guitar work from Lorber (who also plays keys), buoying Lettieri's slow-developing, elegant solo. The lithe, sophisticated "Liberty" has a riff constructed entirely from electronics as Lorber's Minimoog meets Rhodes and acoustic piano. He's framed by Mims' fluid bassline and Haslip (who adds another harmonic component on his six-string bass). "Keep On Moving" weds polished urban funk and Pat Metheny's sense of harmonic euphoria to a sultry, steamy, finger-popping dance groove. "Mindshare" is a showcase for Lorber's Rhodes soloing atop punchy yet elegant jazz-funk. "Reception" and "Tail Lights" address the contemporary jazz vocabulary, adding color with hip charts as well as gorgeous alternate soloing from Lettieri and Jackson. Lorber's keyboards on the former meld Minimoog, piano, and Rhodes, effortlessly stacking and juxtaposing lyric and rhythmic statements. On the latter, his acoustic solo crosses blues, hard bop, and funk in a sweeping encounter with horns, drums, and guitars. The Drop presents the Lorber group at a creative peak, reveling in funky goodness and elevated grooves in a sophisticated presentation of 21st century jazz-funk.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1. The Drop 3:53
2. Altered State 3:55
3. New Mexico 4:06
4. On The Bus 3:34
5. Hang Tight 3:51
6. Liberty 4:22
7. Keep Moving 3:32
8. Mindshare 3:51
9. Reception 4:05
10. Tail Lights 3:24
Credits :
6-String Bass [Melody] – Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 2, 6 to 8)
Alto Saxophone [Aksi] – Randal Clark (tracks: 1, 3, 7, 8, 10)
Bass – Cornelius Mims (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 to 10), Jimmy Haslip (tracks: 2)
Drums – Gary Novak
Flute [Melody] – David Mann (tracks: 9)
Horns, Arranged By [Horns], Performer [Performance] – David Mann (tracks: 1, 3, 7 to 10)
Keyboards, Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Jeff Lorber
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Mark Lettieri (tracks: 3 to 9)
Rhythm Guitar – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7 to 10), Paul Jackson Jr. (tracks: 1)
Soprano Saxophone – Randal Clark (tracks: 6)
Synth Bass – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 5)
Synthesizer [Minimoog] – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 9)
Written-By – Jeff Lorber
2.8.25
MARILYN SCOTT – Avenues of Love (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
A top-notch adult contemporary vocalist still awaiting a well-deserved crossover commercial breakthrough, Marilyn Scott adds powerful fuel to her cause on Avenues of Love by helping herself with a well-balanced array of production and songwriting talent. George Duke surrounds her with party voices and a kneejerking Latin groove on a playful list of dance steps on "I Like to Dance," then surrounds her clear, sensuous voice with airy, billowing synth cushioning on the Bacharach-David classic "The Look of Love." Scott and bassist Jimmy Haslip reroute to Memphis on Michael Ruff's Wilson Pickett-like pick me up, "Love Is a Powerful Thing," engaging a two-piece horn section that sounds even larger. The Yellowjacket touch is in full effect on the picturesque "Avenida del Sol," which approximates an update of the gentle Astrud Gilberto sound; the tune was written by Scott and Bob Mintzer, and produced by Scott, Haslip, and Russell Ferrante. Scott's greatest gift here is her sense of modulation; she belts like crazy on the funk pieces, but recognizes the emotional power of restraint on the ballads. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1. Starting to Fall 4:47
George Duke / Marilyn Scott
2. I Like to Dance 5:00
George Duke / Bob Mintzer / Marilyn Scott
3. Avenida del Sol 4:27
Bob Mintzer / Marilyn Scott
4. The Look of Love 5:38
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
5. Heaven's Design 5:53
Bobby McFerrin
6. Love is a Powerful Thing 4:30
Michael Ruff
7. Hold You Up 5:34
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Marilyn Scott
8. Hey Love 6:16
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Marilyn Scott
9. Get Home 5:45
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Marilyn Scott
10. The Last Day 3:38
John Ewbank / Brenda Russell
Credits :
Bob Mintzer - Composer, Guest Artist, Horn
Brandon Fields, Steve Allen - Saxophone
Fred Washington - Bass
George Duke - Bass, Bass Programming, Composer, Executive Producer, Guest Artist, Keyboards, Piano, Producer, Vocal Producer
Jimmy Haslip - Bass, Composer, Producer
Joe Heredia - Drums
Lori Perry - Arranger, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background), Voices
Marilyn Scott - Composer, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Michael Landau, Mike Miller, Ray Fuller - Guitar
Michael Ruff - Composer, Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
Paul Jackson, Jr. - Guest Artist, Guitar
Paulinho Da Costa - Guest Artist, Percussion
Rafael Padilla - Percussion
Ralph Rickert - Trumpet
Russell Ferrante - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Producer
Take 6 - Guest Artist
Walt Fowler - Horn
William Kennedy - Drums
Yellowjackets - Guest Artist
Alvin Chea, Sharon Perry, Carolyn Perry, Darlene Perry, David Porter Thomas, David Powell, Lynn Davis, Richard Montgomery, Lisa Horton, Jim Gilstrap, Mary Turner, Maxayn Lewis - Vocals (Background) Voices
12.7.25
YELLOWJACKETS — Politics (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
A nearly complete departure from smooth jazz, Politics is arguably the
Yellowjackets' strongest effort to date. True, there is the pure pop of
the single "Local Hero" (which features a rhythm section more rock than
jazz) and the accessible "Evening Dance" to be considered, but they're
the exceptions rather than the rule. Like Four Corners before it,
Politics engages in exotic, dreamy textures, the new wrinkle here being
the joining of Russell Ferrante's keyboards and Marc Russo's saxophones
to create intoxicating, complex themes (the opening pair of "Oz" and
"Tortoise & the Hare" are the best examples of this technique). The
disc also finds the Yellowjackets incorporating elements of post-bop
("Downtown," "Foreign Correspondent") and more traditional jazz
("Helix," which affords a rare opportunity to compare Ferrante's piano
technique to those of artists like Chick Corea and Bill Evans). The
biggest difference in sound comes from Russo, who downplays his
typically smooth soloing for more cerebral fare. Jimmy Haslip's bass has
grown steadily more subtle over time, though he does showcase his
fretless skills on "Galileo (For Jaco)" and provides a perfect
complement to Russo's sax on the romantic "Avance." The rhythms of
William Kennedy have moved higher in the mix, which partially accounts
for Haslip's diminished presence, with guest Alex Acuña again providing
occasional percussion. It's a pleasure to hear the Yellowjackets move
beyond smooth jazz to bring their talents to bear on more substantive
music. Despite the variety of styles -- from giddy, Ponty-like patterns
to thoughtful, unfolding ballads -- the Yellowjackets treat every song
with care and craftsmanship. The band returned to self-producing after
this, so some of the softness in tone that co-producer David Hentschel
brought to the sessions was lost on The Spin. Of the four albums that
the band made for MCA, Politics is the one to own. Dave Connolly
Tracklist :
1 Oz 4:44
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Marc Russo
2 Tortoise & The Hare 5:32
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Marc Russo
3 Local Hero 4:38
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Marc Russo
4 Galileo (For Jaco) 5:05
Jimmy Haslip
5 Foreign Correspondent 5:43
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Marc Russo
6 Downtown 4:02
Russell Ferrante
7 Helix 4:57
Russell Ferrante / William Kennedy
8 Avance 5:17
Russell Ferrante
9 One Voice 3:58
Russell Ferrante
10 Evening Dance 5:10
Russell Ferrante
Credits :
Guest, Musician, Percussion – Alex Acuna
Guest, Musician, Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Steve Croes
Performer [Yellowjackets Are:], Bass [5 String Bass] – Jimmy Haslip
Performer [Yellowjackets Are:], Drums – William Kennedy
Performer [Yellowjackets Are:], Keyboards [All Keyboards] – Russell Ferrante
Performer [Yellowjackets Are:], Saxophone [Saxophones] – Marc Russo
2.7.25
YELLOWJACKETS — Four Corners (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Out Of Town 5:02
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
2 Wildlife 6:03
Cello, Percussion [Additional] – Bill Gable
Vocals – Alex Acuña, Bill Gable, Brenda Russell, Diana Acuña, Jimmy Haslip
Written-By – Alex Acuña, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
3 Sightseeing 5:52
Vocals – Bill Gable
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
4 Open Road 3:37
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
5 Mile High 4:12
Written-By – Bill Gable, Jimmy Haslip, Marc Russo, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
6 Past Ports 5:29
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
7 Postcards 5:28
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
8 Room With A View 4:28
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
9 Geneva 2:24
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip
10 Indigo 5:28
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip, Marc Russo, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
Credits :
Drums, Percussion – William Kennedy
Electric Bass [5-string Bass, Fretless Bass] – Jimmy Haslip
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [All] – Russell Ferrante
Programmed By [Synclavier] – Gary Barlough
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Marc Russo
14.6.25
JACO PASTORIUS BIG BAND — Word Of Mouth Revisited (2003) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless
Back before he turned everyone's idea of bass playing inside out, Jaco Pastorius spent five years on the bandstand with the Peter Graves Orchestra at Bachelors III, a swanky spot in his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale. Nearly three decades after the future star's departure in 1975, and 16 years after his brutal murder, Graves got the guys back together, christened them in their former colleague's name, and invited the most prominent bass guitarists of the early 21st century down to join them in a project dedicated to Pastorius' legacy. Throughout these polished performances, the bass parts testify to how profoundly Pastorius altered that instrument's role. Bottom line (so to speak): he gave them the option of playing from a soloist mentality and blowing all over the beat, as fast and free as any saxophonist, as long as he or she had chops and didn't subvert the groove. The guest bassists on this collection absorbed this lesson long ago. Each can scatter quick licks, some of them even faster than Pastorius himself. So why does a vague disenchantment haunt these performances? Perhaps it's because these players, great as they are, are still emulating more than discovering. Some imitate even the nuances of the Pastorius tone and phrasing, as does Richard Bona on "Punk Jazz" -- which, of course, may be a form of tribute in this context. On an opposite extreme, the light-speed, staccato hailstorm unleashed by Victor Wooten on "Teen Town" is fundamentally unmusical, focusing on the player more than the material being played -- which is, come to think of it, the real revelation here. Pastorius' tunes reflect a compositional maturity that wasn't always evident in the more improvisational context of Weather Report, and his arrangements -- notably an idiosyncratic treatment of "Killing Me Softly" and the marimba-flavored exotica of "Opus Pocus" -- suggest that had he had more time, he would have written history with his pen as much as his performance. One complaint: the samples of Pastorius' voice, chopped into microbits that carry no meaningful content and seem intended to function as objects of postmodern reflection, if not reverence. All these interruptions accomplish is to remind you that some artists speak most eloquently without words. Robert L. Doerschuk
Tracklist :
1. Jaco Speaks 0:07
2. Havona 5:19
Arranged By – Larry Warrilow
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
3. Teen Town 4:10
Arranged By – Larry Warrilow
Bass – Victor Wooten
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
4. Jaco Speaks 0:04
5. Punk Jazz 5:03
Bass – Richard Bona
Tenor Saxophone – Mike Scaglione
Written-By, Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius
6. Jaco Speaks 0:05
7. Barbary Coast 5:55
Arranged By – Larry Warrilow
Bass – Gerald Veasley
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
8. Killing Me Softly 4:22
Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius
Bass – Jeff Carswell
Written-By – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel
9. Jaco Speaks 0:05
10. (Used to Be A) Cha Cha 6:54
Arranged By – Dan Bonsanti
Bass – Victor Bailey
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
11. Wiggle Waggle 5:46
Arranged By – Stan Webb
Bass – Jaco Pastorius
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
12. Jaco Speaks 0:10
13. Continuum 3:23
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Written-By, Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius
14. Jaco Speaks 0:04
15. Elegant People 6:29
Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius
Bass – Gerald Veasley
Drums [Hand Drums] – Bobby Thomas Jr.
Written-By – Wayne Shorter
16. Opus Pocus 5:16
Arranged By – Larry Warrilow
Bass – David Pastorius
Marimba – Gary Mayone
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
17. Peter & Jaco Speak 0:47
18. Domingo 6:44
Bass – Victor Bailey
Written-By, Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius
19. Forgotten Love 4:01
Arranged By – Larry Warrilow
Bass – Christian McBride
Flute – Mike Scaglione
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
20. Jaco Speaks 7:18
21. Punk Jazz Revisited
Arranged By – Marcus Miller
Bass, Bass Clarinet, Drums, Clavinet, Soprano Saxophone, Scratches – Marcus Miller
Soprano Saxophone – Roger Byman
Trumpet – Michael "Patches" Stewart
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller
Line-up / Musicians
Victor Bailey, Jaco Pastorius, Jimmy Haslip, Gerald Veasley, Marcus Miller, Christian McBride, Victor Wooten, Richard Bona, Jeff Carswell, Dave Pastorius - Bass
Randy Bernsen - Guitar, Koto
Peter Graves - Conductor
Joe Zawinul - Keyboards
Michael Brignola - Flute, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax, Woodwinds
Ed Calle - Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax, Woodwinds
Kenneth Faulk - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Brass
Michael Levine - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Billy Ross - Flute, Piccolo, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Woodwinds
Dana Teboe - Trombone, Brass
John Kricker - Bass Trombone, Brass
Mike Scaglione - Flute, Tenor Sax
Jason Carder, Jeff Kievit - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Mark Griffith - Drums
Gary Keller - Clarinet, Flute, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax
Gary Mayone - Marimba
Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet
Bobby Thomas, Jr. - Hand Drums
Roger Byman - Soprano Sax
13.6.25
YELLOWJACKETS — The Spin (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Smooth jazz with some rough edges, you can actually sink your teeth into
The Spin. Yellowjackets haven't completely taken pop/jazz out of their
diet -- Marc Russo's "Blues for Nikki" and Russell Ferrante's "Whistle
While You Walk" will skip a little too lightly for some tastes -- but
most of the songs find a satisfying midway point between the sweet and
the sour. "Geraldine," "Dark Horses," and "Storytellers" all have some
meat on them, with keyboardist Russell Ferrante leading a musical
discussion that steers clear of the banal. Leaving Russo to carry the
melodies, Ferrante is free to pursue a more discursive dialogue (notably
on "Enigma"), with punctuation provided by the brisk percussion of
William Kennedy (who shines on "Dark Horses"). Jimmy Haslip's bassline
gives "The Spin" its shape, but he continues to fade in and out of the
mix, and fails to make the most of his one solo. The compact disc
features a great bonus track: a medley of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is
a Lovesome Thing" and Bud Powell's "Hallucinations." What their version
may lack in soul they make up for in stride. The Spin has more on its
mind than an album like Shades, and Yellowjackets' willingness to create
and resolve musical problems will give some listeners pause to think.
At least on this occasion, Yellowjackets show that light jazz doesn't
have to be a guilty pleasure. Dave Connolly
Tracklist :
1 Geraldine 6:43
Russell Ferrante
2 The Spin 4:46
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Marc Russo
3 Storytellers 6:44
Russell Ferrante
4 Prayer for El Salvador 6:00
Russell Ferrante
5 Whistle While You Walk 5:14
Russell Ferrante
6 Enigma 4:48
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
7 Dark Horses 5:00
Barry Coates / Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
8 Blues for Nikki 4:20
Marc Russo
9 A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing/Hallucinations 8:48
Bud Powell / Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Arranged By [Percussions] – Alex Acuna
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums, Percussion – William Kennedy
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Producer – Yellowjackets
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Marc Russo.jpg)
4.6.25
YELLOWJACKETS — Lifecycle (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The Yellowjackets needed a guest guitarist, who would be the best person for the job? Pat Metheny would be an excellent choice, as would Al di Meola, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, or John Scofield. Well, the Yellowjackets did hire a guest guitarist for Lifecycle -- an excellent and well-known guitarist, in fact -- and they feature him extensively on this 2008 release. The guitarist is Mike Stern, who enjoys a strong rapport with the Yellowjackets' 2008 lineup: Russell Ferrante on acoustic piano and electric keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on electric bass, Bob Mintzer on tenor and soprano sax and bass clarinet, and Marcus Baylor on drums and percussion. Stern and the Yellowjackets are a perfectly logical combination -- especially in light of the hell-bent-for-jazz direction the Yellowjackets have favored since 1991's Greenhouse. With Greenhouse (which was Mintzer's first album with the outfit), Ferrante and Haslip made it clear that they wanted the Yellowjackets to be considered a serious, heavy-duty jazz combo instead of a group that pandered to smooth jazz stations. That isn't to say that the Yellowjackets' 1980s output lacks merit -- many of their '80s recordings are quite creative -- but with Greenhouse, Ferrante and Haslip really emphasized their Weather Report/Miles Davis/Return to Forever heritage. And that mindset continues to serve the Yellowjackets well 17 years later on Lifecycle. Jazz purists and bop snobs, of course, would argue that if you use electric instruments and have been influenced by rock or funk in any way, you aren't playing jazz, but the truth is that Stern and the Yellowjackets do bring a serious jazz improviser's mentality to engaging tracks like Haslip's bluesy "Country Living," Mintzer's mysterious "Falken's Maze," and Ferrante's probing, somewhat John Coltrane-ish "Measure of a Man." With its blend of electric and acoustic instruments, Lifecycle is relevant to both fusion and post-bop -- and it is also proof that collaborating with Stern was a very wise move for the Yellowjackets. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1 Falken's Maze 6:25
Written-By – B. Mintzer
2 Country Living 6:24
Written-By – J. Haslip
3 Double Nickel 6:42
Written-By – M.Stern
4 Dreams Go 6:49
Written-By – M.Stern
5 Measure Of A Man 7:33
Written-By – R.Ferrante
6 Yahoo 4:52
Written-By – B. Mintzer
7 I Wonder 6:01
Written-By – B. Mintzer
8 3 Circles 7:30
Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip, M. Baylor, R.Ferrante
9 Claire's Closet 5:05
Written-By – R.Ferrante
10 Lazaro 5:15
Programmed By [Programming], Sequenced By [Sequencing] – Jimmy Haslip
Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip
Credits :
Marcus Baylor - Drums, Percussion
Russell Ferrante - Keyboards, Percussion, Piano
Jimmy Haslip - Bass (Electric),
Bob Mintzer - Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jerry Mitkowski : Piano Technician
Mike Stern : Featured Guitar
16.5.25
YELLOWJACKETS — Timeline (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Contemporary jazz ensemble Yellowjackets' 2011 Mack Avenue debut,
Timeline features the band's longstanding knack for straddling the line
between smooth jazz and more cerebral post-bop stuff. Marking the
group's 30 years in the business, the album is a perfect mix of low-key,
soulful moments and more funky, angular jazz. In that sense, it's a
perfect balance of what the band has done throughout its career.
Showcased here are members saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboardist Russell
Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and drummer Will Kennedy, as well as
guests guitarist Robben Ford and trumpeter John Daversa. Ultimately,
with tracks like the disarmingly knotty opener "Why Is It," the
expansive "Tenacity," and the ruminative R&B-infused title track,
Timeline reveals Yellowjackets as a band in a seemingly reinvigorated
and creative state of mind. Not a bad place to be at 30. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 Why is It 5:04
Bob Mintzer
2 Tenacity 6:07
Bob Mintzer
Trumpet – John Daversa
3 Rosemary 4:54
W. Kennedy
4 Timeline 5:11
R. Ferrante
5 Magnolia 4:36
R. Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
Guitar – Robben Ford
6 A Single Step 7:05
R. Ferrante
7 Indivisible 5:22
R. Ferrante
8 Like Elvin 5:32
Bob Mintzer
Trumpet – John Daversa
9 My Soliloquy 6:22
Bob Mintzer
10 Numerology 5:56
R. Ferrante
11 I Do 6:00
R. Ferrante
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums, Keyboards – Will Kennedy
Piano, Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Producer – Yellowjackets
Tenor Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer 
6.12.24
TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON — The ACT Years (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
"Oh man, she's got it! She's good, man! This little girl can play!" What Dizzy Gillespie recognized early on is now undisputed: Terri Lyne Carrington, born in 1965 in Medford, Massachusetts, is today regarded as "the most famous female jazz drummer in the world" (Spiegel Online). For almost 25 years, she has not only been at the forefront of the jazz world as a drummer but also as a composer, arranger, producer, and educator. She has played with jazz world stars including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Stan Getz, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Cassandra Wilson, Clark Terry, and Dianne Reeves. Her Grammy-winning career began with ACT. "The ACT Years" looks back on this time with 12 tracks and showcases the versatility of this fascinating drummer. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Jazz Is A Spirit 3:39
Terri Lyne Carrington
2 Manic Depression 5:26
Jimi Hendrix
3 Ethiopia 6:19
Joni Mitchell
4 Journey Of Now 4:15
Terri Lyne Carrington / Bob Hurst
5 Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 6:41
Jimi Hendrix
6 Omega 5:22
Jimmy Haslip
7 Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 3:41
Jimi Hendrix
8 Purple Haze 5:19
Jimi Hendrix
9 Mindful Intent 5:34
Terri Lyne Carrington
10 Middle Way 6:57
Terri Lyne Carrington
11 Samsara 7:23
Terri Lyne Carrington
12 If 6 Was 9 4:06
Jimi Hendrix
Credits :
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Nguyên Lê - Guitar
Greg Osby - Alto Saxophone
Adam Rogers - Guitar
Jimmy Haslip - Bass
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
and many more
21.10.24
TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON | ADAM ROGERS | JIMMY HASLIP | GREG OSBY — Structure (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The combination of Greg Osby with Terri Lyne Carrington is quite logical. Altoist Osby, an original innovator with the M-Base movement (which explored free-form funk) has a very original improvising style. Since Carrington has always loved funk, as has electric bassist Jimmy Haslip (of the Yellowjackets), this match-up works quite well. Osby's interplay with guitarist Adam Rogers is also a major plus. Other than a Joni Mitchell piece ("Ethiopia") that the drummer sings, the repertoire is comprised of group originals. Whether it be overt funky pieces, brooding ballads or the well-titled "Fire," the music is explorative, unpredictable and usually grooving. Well worth exploring by fans of creative funk/jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Mindful Intent 5:31
Composed By – Terri Lyne Carrington
2 Black Halo 6:25
Composed By – Greg Osby
3 Ethiopia 6:18
Composed By – Joni Mitchell
4 The Invisible 6:22
Composed By – Adam Rogers
5 Spiral 6:22
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip
6 Facets Squared 4:30
Composed By – Greg Osby
7 Solace 5:22
Composed By – Terri Lyne Carrington
8 Fire 8:31
Composed By – Ed Barguiarena, Terri Lyne Carrington
9 Omega 5:19
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip
10 Columbus, Ohio 4:47
Composed By – Adam Rogers
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Adam Rogers
Alto Saxophone – Greg Osby
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
11.8.21
FLORA PURIM - Speak No Evil (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Two realities are abundantly clear from listening to this Brazilian songstress legend's latest mix of standards and originals -- she swings magnificently with great jazz company (including her husband, percussion legend Airto Moreira) and she's far more emotionally effective singing in her native Portuguese than in her heavily accented English. Her phrasing is solid on classics like "You Go To My Head" and the samba flavored "I've Got You Under My Skin," but her thick accent keeps the ears distracted somewhat from the message her heart seeks to convey. Fortunately, on these and other English language tunes by Don Grusin, Wayne Shorter and the vastly underrated L.A. keyboardist/songwriter Bill Cantos, she's surrounded by bandmates that propel her to great heights. On the opener "This Magic," that includes Moreira's jamming with flutist Gary Meek and members of The Yellowjackets. The same crowd turns "Speak No Evil" into a similarly wild trad-jazz affair. But compare her strained vocals on those tracks with her effortless vocal magic on Brazilian classics like "Tamanco no Samba" and "O Sonho" and the distinction between mere very good and close to perfection is clear. Another gem is the samba-lite tune written by Airto and Yutaka Yokokura, "Primeira Estrela," which rolls along on the strength of Purim's vocal harmonies with Yutaka and Oscar Castro Neves' beautiful acoustic guitar. To truly speak no musical evil, Purim should concentrate on mas Portugues. by Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1 This Magic 5:06
Don Grusin
2 You Go to My Head 3:54
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie
3 Speak No Evil (All for One) 5:13
Wayne Shorter
4 I've Got You Under My Skin 2:52
Cole Porter
5 Tamanco No Samba 5:05
Orlann Divo
6 Don't Say a Word 6:28
Bill Cantos
7 Primeira Estrela 5:01
Airto Moreira / Yutaka Yokokura
8 It Ain't Necessarily So 5:22
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9 I Feel You 4:37
Bill Cantos
10 O Sonho (Moon Dreams) 6:39
Egberto Gismonti / Chummy MacGregor
Credits :
Jimmy Branley - Percussion
Gary Brown - Bass
Bill Cantos - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards
Oscar Castro-Neves - Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboards
Russell Ferrante - Arranger, Keyboards
Jimmy Haslip, Trey Henry - Bass
Christian Jacob - Keyboards
Gary Meek - Arranger, Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Flute, Producer, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Airto Moreira - Composer, Drums, Percussion, Vocals (Background)
Flora Purim - Voices
Michito Sánchez - Percussion
Yutaka Yokokura - Arranger, Assistant Engineer, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Treatments 
23.7.21
CAROL WELSMAN - Carol Welsman (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
If this self-titled CD had more of a straight-ahead jazz outlook, it would be easy to describe Carol Welsman as a member of the Cool School; the Canadian singer favors the type of relaxed, subtle phrasing that June Christy, Helen Merrill and Chris Connor were known for in the '50s. But for the most part, this 2007 release (which was produced by Jimmy Haslip of Yellowjackets fame) is not straight-ahead jazz but rather, is best described as jazz-tinged pop/NAC singing along the lines of Basia, Marilyn Scott and Sade. The 50-minute CD does have its improvisatory moments; the Brazilian-flavored "Café" (a Welsman original) demonstrates that Welsman can scat and improvise effectively when she puts her mind to it. But pop dominates the album, and that isn't a problem because Welsman's pop -- although certainly light -- is not lightweight. For all her subtlety and understatement, Welsman gets her emotional points across whether she is putting her spin on the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes," Madonna's "Live to Tell" or the Latin standard "Nosotros." Welsman has no problem performing in Spanish on "Nosotros"; in fact, she performs in a total of five languages on this disc -- not only English and Spanish, but also in Portuguese on "Eu Vim de Ahia," in Italian on "Ora" and in French on "Dans Cette Chambre." The latter is an example of a familiar melody with new lyrics; "Dans Cette Chambre" is Welsman's French-language interpretation of Gordon Lightfoot's "Beautiful." A Lightfoot melody and French lyrics might seem an unlikely combination, but it works for Welsman. This disc falls short of exceptional, although it's a pleasing, likable effort that is worth hearing if one has spent a lot of time listening to NAC favorites like Basia and Scott. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1 Brazasia 4:30
Oscar Castro-Neves
2 Hold Me 3:55
Carol Welsman
3 Dans Cette Chambre 4:00
Gordon Lightfoot
4 What A Fool Believes 4:00
Kenny Loggins
5 Eu Vim De Bahia 2:49
Carol Welsman
6 Café 3:53
Carol Welsman
7 Live To Tell 4:58
Patrick Leonard / Madonna
8 Nosotros 4:02
Julio Acosta / Nelson Rodriguez
9 Too Close For Comfort 5:01
Jerry Bock / Larry Holofcener / George David Weiss
10 With Me 2:27
Jeremy Lubbock
11 Dans Mon Ile 3:34
Henri Salvador
- Bonus Tracks -
12 Beautiful 3:54
Gordon Lightfoot
13 Ora 3:54
Carol Welsman
Credits :
Vocals, Co-producer – Carol Welsman
Guitar – Pierre Côté
Producer, Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal, Vern Dorge
4.8.20
YELLOWJACKETS - Samurai Samba (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
YELLOWJACKETS - Lifecycle (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
3.8.20
BOB MINTZER - One Music (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist
1 One People 4:07
Composed By – Mintzer
2 One Music 6:37
Composed By – Mintzer
3 City Of Hope 5:44
Composed By – Mintzer
4 Navajo 5:45
Composed By – Haslip, Ferrante, Kennedy
5 Old Friends 6:05
Composed By – Ferrante
6 Rich & Poor 5:18
Composed By – Mintzer
7 Look Inside 5:07
Composed By – Mintzer
8 The Big Show 4:12
Composed By – Mintzer
9 The Song Is You 5:30
Composed By – Kern, Hammerstein
10 The Challenge 5:55
Composed By – Mintzer
Credits
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Congas – Don Alias
Drums – William Kennedy
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Electronic Wind Instrument, Producer – Bob Mintzer
+ last month
SUZANNE VEGA — Lover, Beloved : Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers (2021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Suzanne Vega has always been a songwriter with a literary sensibility, displaying a feel for character and wordplay that was noticeably more...














