Search - Yellowjackets :: Politics

One of the two best Yellowjackets efforts

George W. Thompson Jr. | Charlotte NC | 03/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The other great effort was Four Corners. Many people don't know the Yellowjackets won a grammy for this album and were nominated for Four Corners. Once the saxophonist Marc Russo and drummer William Kennedy left the group the music just took a huge nosedive in my opinion. Bob Mintzer is a great saxophonist but to me his sound never felt "right" with this group. Marc just could never control his temper. It's a shame. I miss their group cohesion very much but I treasure these CD's even more for it."

My first sting!!!

A. Gutierrez | usa | 02/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can remember like it was yesterday. The year was late 1989, maybe even a fresh 1990, and I was just a kid; about 22-23 years old. I went to a music store on payday to buy my wife an album; just because (it was Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel). As I was looking around for something different, yet cool I stumbled onto the Politics album. I was still living in the "smooth jazz" world which had recently errupted with the likes of Kenny G, David Sanborn, Dave Koz.etc. Thinking I would get a jazz album with a groove like those mentioned above, I eagerly purchased both albums and went home to surprize my wife.



Needless to say, my wife was very happy with my gift to her. As I listnened to my gift to myself, I scratched my head in confusion. I didn't know what to think of it. I put it away and forgot about it for about a month. Then I decided to pull it out again and listen and this time, I was totally blown away by such musicianship and I have been a Yellowjackets fan ever since.



Politics is one of the best jazz releases in my opinion; simply because it is interesting from beginning to end. At times it's playful in a "jam"

sense yet very structured. You can hear all their influences like Miles, Coltrane and Monk just to name a few, and there is also some groove without becoming too groovy like smooth jazz. The standout track on the album is one called Downtown; Talk about all over the place! This is drummer William Kennedy's shining moment. What a magnificent drummer!



To thouroughly describe Politics would be like trying to explain the secret of life, its impossible! If you are a fan of great jazz without becoming too sappy, this is the disc for you. If you are looking for Kenny G, stay clear of this.



It's a hard release to find. I played my album copy for years until last year I found a cd version and of course I snagged it quick! But just for old times sake, I still play my vinyl version and think back on that cold winter's day of the late 80's and thank myself for taking a chance on this gem."