YELLOWJACKETS — Like a River (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Other than the easy-listening pieces that appear near the beginning of the program, this is one of The Yellowjackets' strongest jazz dates. Bob Mintzer's creative reeds (switching between tenor, bass clarinet, soprano and the EWI) keep the music stimulating and keyboardist Russell Ferrante has come a long way as both an improviser (where he is most influenced by Herbie Hancock) and as the band's main composer. With bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy in strong supporting roles, the ensemble plays intelligent funk grooves, some mood music and occasional sections of straightahead jamming. The inclusion of the Miles Davis-influenced trumpeter Tim Hagans on half of the selections adds variety to a particularly enjoyable set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.     Man Facing North 6:28
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Bob Mintzer
2.     My Old School 7:13
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
3.     River Waltz 6:00
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Marc Russo
4.     Dewey (A Tribute to Miles Davis) 5:40
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
5.     Memoirs 6:19
Bob Mintzer
6.     Azure Moon 6:02
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
7.     Sueños 6:35
Russell Ferrante / Bill Gable / Jimmy Haslip
8.     1998 6:58
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy / Marc Russo
9.     Sandstone 5:29
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy
10.     Solitude 5:04
Russell Ferrante
Credits :
Drums – William Kennedy
Electric Bass [6 String Bass], Electric Bass [Tobias Semi Hollow Body], Vocals – Jimmy Haslip
Guest, Musician, Percussion, Vocals – Naná Vasconcelos
Guest, Musician, Programmed By [EWI Programming] – Judd Muller
Guest, Musician, Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Steve Croes
Guest, Musician, Trumpet – Tim Hagens
Guest, Musician, Vocals – Bill Gable
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Russell Ferrante
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Electronic Wind Instrument [EWI] – Bob Mintzer 

YELLOWJACKETS — Live Wires (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This live set by the Yellowjackets (taped at the Roxy in Hollywood) has plenty of solo space for Bob Mintzer (on tenor, soprano, bass clarinet and EWI) and keyboardist Russell Ferrante (who takes a particularly colorful spot on "Homecoming") along with fine backup work by bassist Jimmy Haslip, drummer William Kennedy and percussionist Paulinho Da Costa. Although the back cover of the CD says "Featuring: Michael Franks, Take 6, Brenda Russell & Marilyn Scott," fortunately Franks, Russell and Scott are only heard on one harmless selection ("The Dream" ) while Take 6 just pops by for the closer "The Revelation." The strength of the improvisations and of Ferrante's Joe Zawinul-like originals make this one of the Yellowjackets' stronger efforts. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Homecoming 5:35
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
2.    Bright Lights 6:53
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
3.    The Dream 5:08
Lyrics By – Michael Franks
Music By – Jimmy Haslip, Marc Russo, Russell Ferrante
4.    Freedomland 6:26
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
5.    Downtown 4:51
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
6.    Claire's Song 7:41
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
7.    Geraldine 7:21
Written-By – Russell Ferrante
8.    The Spin 9:47
Written-By – Jimmy Haslip, Marc Russo, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
9.    Wildlife 9:26
Written-By – Alex Acuna, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
10.    Revelation 6:24
Lyrics By – Lorraine Perry
Music By – Russell Ferrante
Credits :
Arranged By [Strings] – Vince Mendoza (pistas: 7)
Backing Vocals – Brenda Russell, Marilyn Scott
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums – William Kennedy
Keyboards [Synclavier] – Steve Croes
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Yellowjackets
Saxophone, Saxophone [Ewi], Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer
Vocals – Michael Franks (pistas: 3), Take 6 (pistas: 10) 

YELLOWJACKETS — Run for Your Life (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of The Yellowjackets' most jazz-oriented sets. Roughly half of the music uses funky rhtyhms while the remainder is straightahead. "Jacket Town" sounds like it could have come from a good Eddie Harris record, Bob Mintzer's tenor is heard on a rapid run-through of rhythm changes on "Runferyerlife," keyboardist Russell Ferrante hints strongly at Chick Corea's acoustic playing on "Muhammed" and Mintzer's ballad "Sage" is memorable. This fine release is recommended both to The Yellowjackets' longtime fans and those listeners who mistakenly think that this popular group is a mundane fusion band. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.     Jacket Town 5:25
Russell Ferrante / William Kennedy
2.     Even Song 6:33
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy
3.     Runferyerlife 4:22
Bob Mintzer
4.     The Red Sea 5:45
Bob Mintzer
5.     Muhammed 6:47
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
6.     City of Lights 6:56
Russell Ferrante
7.     Sage 5:04
Bob Mintzer
8.     Ancestors 5:01
Matisha / Bob Mintzer
9.     Wisdom 7:29
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums – William Kennedy
Guitar – Robben Ford
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Producer – Yellowjackets
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Steve Croes
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument [Ewi], Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer