The most adventurous quartet in contemporary jazz has met its visual
match in Peter Max, the legendary pop artist who, as it turns out, is a
huge fan of the band. Russell Ferrante and company could probably feel
at home naming any of their innovative, loose-spirited albums after one
of Max's paintings, but Altered State definitely fits the vibe here --
which is all odd meters, emotionally provocative melodic lines, and
unexpected harmonies. Max, in turn, took a few preliminary tracks and
was inspired to create the cool, splotchy cover art. The hourlong
musical affair won't cause any permanent mental and emotional
departures, but there are a lot of odd and spirited surprises along the
way. "Suite 15," featuring the funky interplay of Bob Mintzer's
aggressive sax and Ferrante's power chording (not to mention one of
Ferrante's classic lush piano solos), is classic Jackets stuff all the
way. They almost go "pop" on Mintzer's multi-genre romp "March
Majestic," which is driven by drummer Marcus Baylor's New Orleans-styled
march beat, Ferrante's gospel-tinged keys, and -- big shock --
Mintzer's ace soloing throughout. The spiritual centerpiece of the disc
is "The Hope," a churchgoing gem featuring Jean Baylor on lead vocals
and the Perry Sisters backing. Running from the fellowship hall, the
quartet goes alternately fun and jazzy and then weird and wild, from
Ferrante's dark, brooding, and gently exotic "Hunter's Point" to bassist
Jimmy Haslip's simmering and offbeat "Youth Eternal." Marcus Baylor has
a blast taking listeners into a dense percussive forest at the
beginning of "Free Day," which develops into a fairly straightforward
midtempo jazz number. Ferrante explains that this project was about
finding some less-traveled roads. But even on those, the band can't get
away from the powerful risk-taking and solid playing that make the
Yellowjackets treasures in their chosen genre.
Jonathan Widran Tracklist :
1. Suite 15 4:51
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
2. March Majestic 5:20
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
3. The Hope 5:02
Written-By – Jean Baylor, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
4. Hunter's Point 6:14
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
5. Mother Earth 4:43
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
6. Youth Eternal 5:08
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip
7. Free Day 5:28
Written-By – Marcus Baylor
8. Cross Current 5:29
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
9. Aha 5:49
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
10. 57 Chevy 6:23
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
11. Unity 5:56
Written-By – Bob Mintzer, Marcus Baylor
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carolyn Perry (pistas: 3), Darlene Perry (pistas: 3), Lori Perry (pistas: 3), Sharon Perry (pistas: 3)
Drums – Marcus Baylor
Electric Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Lead Vocals – Jean Baylor (pistas: 3)
Percussion – Mike Shapiro (pistas: 1, 4)
Piano, Electric Piano, Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Producer – Yellowjackets
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano, Ewi], Clarinet [Bass] – Bob Mintzer 
