LEE RITENOUR — Rhythm Sessions (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Ritenour's Rhythm Sessions is, in a roundabout way, a companion album to 2010's Six String Theory. For that record, he sought out a slew of guitar greats to celebrate their joint love for the instrument. Here, Ritenour assembles another top-flight cast for a set of tunes that range from fusion to pop, from contemporary jazz to post-bop and more. "The Village" places the guitarist with George Duke, Stanley Clarke, drummer Dave Weckl, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. The fusion groove is nocturnal, slippery, even bluesy. Kurt Elling joins Dave Grusin, Nathan East, and Will Kennedy for an elegant reading of Nick Drake's "River Man." Ritenour's revisioning of Herbie Hancock's "Fat Albert Rotunda" showcases just how savvy he is at adapting a jazz-funk classic for the 21st century without sacrificing its vigor. The band -- Patrice Rushen on acoustic piano with Debron Johnson on Rhodes, Marcus Miller and Melvin Lee Davis on basses, Rob Bacon on rhythm guitar, and Oscar Seaton on drums -- rock it up a bit while keeping the ensemble and rhythmic interplay fluid, yet firmly in the pocket. Ritenour surprises by including two tunes by the European piano trio E.S.T.: "800 Streets by Feet" and "Spam-Boo-Limbo." In both cases, he uses the harmonic elasticity of the originals to dig inside their hardwired, interlocking grooves. He reveals them as rife for contemporary jazz as well as post-bop. Chick Corea stars on his own shimmering "Children's Song," with Ritenour playing classical guitar augmented by drummer Peter Erskine and Chuck Bergdorfer on bass. This set is not all cover tunes, however; Ritenour contributes three fine compositions -- "July" (a breezy little funk tune with excellent bass work by Melvin Davis), "Rose Pedals" (a crossover classical jazz piece), and "Dolphins Don't Dance" (a limber, Latin-tinged modern jazz tune with Larry Goldings on B-3). The set closer is a reading of Grusin's elegant, R&B-flavored "Punta del Soul," featuring the three young winners of his Six String Theory Guitar & Rhythm Section Competition. Rhythm Sessions underscores Ritenour's ability to place himself in any jazz ensemble -- he's almost chameleon-like -- without sacrificing his unique voice or ability as a soloist. This utterly unique recording in the contemporary jazz genre is a fine showcase for his skills as a bandleader.
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Tracklist :
1.    The Village  5:06
Acoustic Bass – Stanley Clarke
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
2.    River Man  4:35
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Kurt Elling
Written-By – Nick Drake
3.    Fat Albert Rotunda  4:43
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Oscar Seaton
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Deron Johnson
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – Patrice Rushen
Rhythm Guitar – Rob Bacon
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
4.    800 Streets By Feet  3:25
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Drums – Wesley Ritenour
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
5.    Children's Song #1  5:16
Acoustic Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Classical Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – Chick Corea
Piano [Additional] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Chick Corea
6.    La By Bike  5:44
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
7.    Maybe Tomorrow  3:41
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass Guitar – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Engineer [Additional] – R.J. Benjamin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Zamajobe
Written By – Benjamin Einziger, George Purviance, Paul Fried, Stephanie Eitel
Written-By [Uncredited] – Kelly Jones
8.    Spam-Boo-Limbo 4:01
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – John Beasley
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
9.    July  4:54
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
10.    Rose Pedals  3:53
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass [Yamaha Silet Bass] – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
11.    Dolphins Don't Dance  6:50
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Organ [Hammond B3], Pedalboard [Bass Pedals] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
12.    Punta Del Soul  5:29
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Michael Feinberg
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Selim Munir
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Hans De Wild
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic], Arranged By [Additional] – Demetrius Nabors
Written-By – Dave Grusin

YELLOWJACKETS — Greenhouse (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Yellowjackets' first release for GRP, Greenhouse, is a real gas. The disc starts innocently enough with "Freedomland," the kind of smart smooth jazz song that marked The Spin. It's on the following "Greenhouse" that listeners glimpse a change in the air: Strings (!) set the stage for dreamy, exotic jazz that melts in your mind, music that goes well beyond similar experiments on earlier Yellowjackets sessions. From this point on, the band travels back in time: Russell Ferrante's piano, the understated rhythm section, and Bob Mintzer's saxophones (Marc Russo had left, though Mintzer wasn't an "official" member yet) smoke with the fire of cool jazz. There are still some electronics employed, but generally they're arranged in a subordinate role to give the acoustic sounds an added presence. It would be tempting to call Mintzer the catalyst of change -- his saxophone playing is more note-filled and squeakier than Russo's, a style that evokes traditional jazz -- but the new direction in sound is just as evident in the piano playing of Ferrante, the softened attack of William Kennedy (plenty of cymbals, quieter snare hits), and the articulated playing of Jimmy Haslip (best heard on "Indian Summer"). The fresh start allows the Yellowjackets to escape from under the cloud of smooth jazz and expose their "serious" side, all while continuing to place composition and melody over individual musicianship. Calling this the band's most mature work to date belies a natural distrust of smooth jazz, so better to say that Greenhouse is loaded with personality. Mintzer's spooky bass clarinet on "Brown Zone," the wild bop workout unleashed on "Liam/Rain Dance," and the violin jig on "Freda" are among their most memorable musical moments. The Yellowjackets haven't changed the way they approach their music, but the newfound ability to communicate in a more traditional jazz setting casts them in a whole new (and flattering) light. Dave Connolly  
Tracklist :
1.     Freedomland 6:09
Russell Ferrante
2.     Greenhouse 9:00
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
3.     Seven Stars 7:33
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy
4.     Indian Summer 5:33
Russell Ferrante
5.     Spirits 6:00
Bob Mintzer
6.     Brown Zone 4:50
Steve Khan
7.     Liam/Rain Dance 6:34
Steve Croes / Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
8.     Invisible People 5:45
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy
9.     Freda 5:24
Yellowjackets feat: Kenny Baker
10.     Peace 3:20
Bill Gable
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor [Orchestra] – Vince Mendoza (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Bassoon – Michael O'Donovan (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Cello – Dane Little (pistas: 2, 4, 9), David Speltz (pistas: 2, 4, 9), John Cooke (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Judith Perett (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Clarinet – Gary Gray (pistas: 2, 4, 9), James Kanter (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Contractor [Orchestra] – Sandy de Crescent
Double Bass – Arni Egilsson (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Timothy Barr (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Drums, Percussion – William Kennedy
Flute – James Walker (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Producer – Yellowjackets
Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Electronic Wind Instrument – Bob Mintzer
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Steve Croes
Viola – Brian Dembow (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Dan Neufeld (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Mihail Zinovyev (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Pamela Goldsmith (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Violin – Anatoly Rosinsky (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Arnold Belnick (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Bill Hybel (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Bruce Dukov (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Clayton Haslop (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Dorothy Wade (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Karen Jones (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Kathleen Lenski (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Polly Sweeny (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Sheldon Sanov (pistas: 2, 4, 9), Stuart Canin (pistas: 2, 4, 9)
Violin [Solo] – Stuart Canin (pistas: 9)
Vocals – Bill Gable (pistas: 8) 

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 

YELLOWJACKETS — Dreamland (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Perhaps the finest recording of this quartet's illustrious career, Dreamland captures the Yellowjackets at the peak of their compositional and performing craft. This band has moved far beyond its peers with this release. The music here is simply intoxicating, full of gorgeous melodies, deceptively intricate changes, subtle rhythmic and harmonic nuances, and flawless playing. Because of the consistency of the music, it is impossible to point out high spots. Bobby McFerrin has never sounded better than on his guest appearance on "Summer Song," but it's the high level maintained by the four Yellowjackets throughout the disc that especially entrances the listener. This is a Dreamland where any connoisseur of quality music will find delight and quiet satisfaction. Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1.     The Chosen 4:59
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
Percussion – Luis Conte
Trumpet – Chuck Findley
2.     Blacktop 5:02
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Bob Mintzer
3.     Summer Song 6:35
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
Percussion – Luis Conte
Vocals, Percussion – Bobby McFerrin
4.     Small Town 6:31
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
5.     A Walk in the Park 5:21
Bob Mintzer
Trumpet, Trombone – Chuck Findley
6.     Turn in Time 5:05
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
7.     Father Time 4:39
Bob Mintzer
8.     New Lullaby (For Gabriela) 4:34
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip
9.     Dreamland 5:42
Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / William Kennedy
10.     Take My Hand 4:31
Russell Ferrante / William Kennedy
Credits :
Bass, Bass [Shop] – Jimmy Haslip
Drums – William Kennedy
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Producer [Produced By] – Yellowjackets
Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer 

YELLOWJACKETS — Blue Hats (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As they continue to evolve, the Yellowjackets have gradually gone from being an R&B-oriented fusion band to a more acoustic group that emphasizes fairly straight-ahead improvisations. Although this CD has nine originals by bandmembers and some electronics are utilized (primarily by keyboardist Russell Ferrante for color), much of the music would satisfy even hard bop listeners. Bob Mintzer's many solos on tenor, soprano, bass clarinet and EWI are excellent, but it is the tightness of the rhythm section (which also includes bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy) that continues to give the Yellowjackets their own original sound. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Capetown 5:37
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
2.    With These Hands 6:56
Composed By – Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
3.    Prayer For Peace 6:48
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
4.    Statue Of Liberty 6:12
Composed By – Russell Ferrante
5.    Coal Minor Blues 5:57
Composed By – Russell Ferrante
6.    Savanna 7:09
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
7.    New Rochelle 6:07
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
8.    Coquimbo 4:31
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy
9.    Angelina 7:15
Composed By – Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums – William Kennedy
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Saxophone – Bob Mintzer 

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

YELLOWJACKETS — Four Corners (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Taking a cue from Weather Report (not to mention a percussionist, Alex Acuña), the Yellowjackets created more exotic textures for Four Corners, often with the use of Zawinul-like synthesizers from Russell Ferrante. The album otherwise represents a shift toward more traditional jazz, felt profoundly in the rhythm section of Jimmy Haslip and new drummer William Kennedy. The change in strategy is made plain on the opening "Out of Town," which finds everyone rethinking their instrument beyond the smooth jazz of Shades. While the atmospheric production of David Hentschel and the band lends an ominous air to the music, fans may see it as a poor tradeoff for the readily identifiable (and often instantly likeable) melodies of their previous work. Though nothing leaps off of Four Corners screaming "Hum me," sections of it are mesmerizing. "Past Ports" and "Wildlife" in particular absorb the listener into a breathing musical world. The disc isn't a full conversion from smooth jazz; Marc Russo's sax is still as sweet as ever, but on a track like "Open Road" the effect is icing on a spice cake. Haslip provides some noisy patterns that suggest he was striving for more substance; in fact, he and Ferrante seem to duke it out for control of "Postcards," while everyone throws their own wrench into "Room With a View." Four Corners is the product of four separate musicians striving to cultivate their own voice, a journey that discovers some interesting music along the way. That the Yellowjackets wanted to explore beyond the fringes of smooth jazz boded well for the band's future. Dave Connolly
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

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

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

ANDY NARELL — Slow Motion (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

More often than not, the steel pans are used for playing the traditional sounds of Trinidad. Andy Narell has successfully utilized them in a variety of non-traditional ways. On the ambitious and highly eclectic fusion release Slow Motion, elements of everything from Afro-Cuban salsa to Brazilian samba to African music are fair game for the adventurous, even visionary improviser (who is also heard on electric keyboards). Sometimes cerebral and sometimes romantic -- sometimes intense and sometimes reflective -- Slow Motion is one CD that cannot be accused of predictability. For those exploring Narell's music for the first time, this album would be an excellent starting point. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
 1. Two Tone Shoes 6:14
 Andy Narell
2. Natty Stick 8:26
 Andy Narell
3. Slow Motion 4:40
 Andy Narell
4. Street Dancin' 3:37
 Kenneth Nash
5. Another Drum For Oskar 7:32
 Andy Narell
6. Trapeze 3:31
 Andy Narell
7. Once A Dancer 4:39
 Ray Obiedo
8. A Sea Change 6:16
 Andy Narell
Credits :
Congas, Bongos, Percussion, Vocals – Kenneth Nash
Drums – William Kennedy
Guitar – Steve Erquiaga
Mixed By – Andy Narell, Steven Miller
Steel Drums, Keyboards – Andy Narell
Synthesizer – Frank Martin
Vocals – John Thomas

YELLOWJACKETS — A Rise In The Road (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title of this Yellowjackets effort is an apt one. The departure of co-founding bassist Jimmy Haslip in 2012 left a huge hole in the lineup. Haslip wasn't only the group's bassist, but one of its most productive composers. Founding pianist/keyboardist Russell Ferrante, with longtime members saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Will Kennedy, eventually chose Felix Pastorius, son of the mighty Jaco, and a seasoned performer in his own right. (On a number of tracks here, he plays his father's bass, loaned to him by its owner, Metallica's Robert Trujillo.) The younger man doesn't play with the same "lead bass" flash of his dad -- at least in the studio -- his style here reflects the role Haslip played, but his tone and nimbleness are his own. (Check his fleet-fingered work as it meets Ferrante's arpeggios in "Thank You.") The band still carries within it the meld of contemporary and straight-ahead jazz -- with Mintzer there is always going to be a nod to post-bop in there -- but the feel is far more immediate and organic. They departed from their usual recording procedure and cut the album live in the studio, adding relatively few overdubs later. Mintzer's opener, "When the Lady Dances," is a straight-ahead post-bop number that pops and swings with a fine understated solo by Ferrante. The pianist offers "Can't We Elope," a rewrite of Herbie Hancock's "Canteloupe." It's one of three tracks here that features the trumpet of Ambrose Akinmusire. The meaty piano groove and the twin horns offer a stylish, fresh take on soulful hard bop. Another of the pianist's compositions "An Amber Shade of Blue," features a knotty head with some fiery call and response between Akinmusire and Mintzer -- the track fades in what seems like mid-jam. Mintzer's "I Knew His Father" is both a welcome to the younger Pastorius and a nod to Jaco--the saxophonist played in the Word of Mouth Band and was present at Felix's birth-- drawing a large circle to a close. Its meld of Latin groove, punchy swing, and boppish blues, offers the younger bassist a fine opportunity to comp, fill, and run the board as the band gets deep inside the melody. A Rise in the Road provides longtime Yellowjackets' fans plenty; but more importantly, it delivers a a bracing new approach and a renewed sense of swinging adventure.

-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-

Tracklist :
1.    When the Lady Dances 5:07 
Bob Mintzer
2.    Civil War  5:47 
Bob Mintzer
3.    Can't We Elope  5:27 
Russell Ferrante
4.    An Informed Decision  6:29
Russell Ferrante
5.    Longing  7:17 
Russell Ferrante
6.    Thank You  5:46 
Bob Mintzer
7.    Madrugada  5:08 
William Kennedy
8.    An Amber Shade of Blue  6:57 
Russell Ferrante
9.    (You'll Know) When It's Time  4:52
Russell Ferrante
10.    I Knew His Father  4:52
Bob Mintzer
Credits :
Bass – Felix Pastorius
Drums, Percussion – William Kennedy
Piano, Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Trumpet – Ambrose Akinmusire (tracks: 3, 4, 8)