YELLOWJACKETS

- LIFECYCLE

2008-10-06

The Yellowjackets are: Jimmy Haslip (elec. Bass), Russell Ferrante (piano, keyboards, and percussion), Marcus Baylor (drums, percussion), Bob Mintzner (tenor & soprano sax, bass clarinet) and special guest Mike Stern (guitars) You would think that a group that’s been around over 25 years would come up dry but the Yellowjackets are a picture of longevity on the Jazz scene. The Yellowjackets have done it again! Lifecycle is a smooth yet edgy jazz/ fusion classic in the making with special guest Mike Stern on guitars. There’s not one cut I didn’t like on this album. I especially liked track (5) measure of a man (R.Ferrante) which featured a polyphonic conversation between clarinet and guitar, with dissonant chords on piano. The improvisation on this piece is great and you can still subtly hear the main musical thought as the soloist play. Track (9) “Claire’s Closet” has a classical sound that is a change of pace at the beginning of the piece and the jazz piano solo is delightful, Russell Ferrante reminded me a little of Bill Evans with his solo. Overall, this album gets 5 stars and “Lifecycle” is bound to get Grammy considerations in my opinion. -Corey Jones

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 09/2008

    PAT COIL SEXTET
    Bird House

  • reviewed 03/2016

    Laurence Hobgood Trio
    Honor Thy Fathers

  • reviewed 04/2006

    Catherine Russell
    Cat

  • reviewed 04/2005

    Afterthought
    Jazzgrass

  • reviewed 10/2009

    BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA
    SONGS FROM LONELY AVENUE

  • reviewed 12/2005

    DAN BARASZU
    Nightfall

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.