AMG Review of Collection

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The Yellowjackets were a fixture on the GRP label for a decade, and this CD is a sampling of some of their work from the period. During that era, in addition to keyboardist Russell Ferrante, electric bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy, the Yellowjackets were joined by the reeds of Bob Mintzer (who is heard here playing tenor, bass clarinet, soprano and the EWI). The 11 selections on the CD include a variety of pieces including vocal features for guests Take 6 ("Revelation") and Michael Franks ("The Dream"), "Wildlife," "The Spin," "Jacket Town" and a tribute to Miles Davis, "Dewey." All but one of the selections has guests (including Paulinho Da Costa, Alex Acuna or Nana Vasconcelos on percussion and Steve Croes on synclavier in addition to the singers) and in general these are some of the more commercial selections recorded by the Yellowjackets during the generally stimulating period. The numbers are taken from Live Wires, Politics, Like a River, Run for Your Love and Shades.