In 1981, a group of sessions musicians decided to form a band and call themselves the Yellowjackets. In the 21st century, they are still stinging listeners and critics with their tradition-laden, groove-oriented sound. Th... more »is combination CD/DVD captures the current group -- founding members, bassist Jimmy Haslip and keyboardist Russ Ferrante, with saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Marcus Baylor ? live during their 2005 European tour. With the exception of Spyro Gyra, no other ensemble has so expertly navigated the blurry lines between acoustic, fusion, and smooth jazz as these guys. The material, culled from the tour, comprises some of their greatest hits, including a spirited retake of the gospel-tinged "Jacketown," the sumptuous ballad "Geraldine," and the edgy, avant-garde leaning "Runferyerlife" and "Free Town." Supplemented by the DVD's concert footage, along with some revealing interviews with past and present band members, the "buzz" on this band shows no signs of diminishing. --Eugene Holley, Jr.« less
In 1981, a group of sessions musicians decided to form a band and call themselves the Yellowjackets. In the 21st century, they are still stinging listeners and critics with their tradition-laden, groove-oriented sound. This combination CD/DVD captures the current group -- founding members, bassist Jimmy Haslip and keyboardist Russ Ferrante, with saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Marcus Baylor ? live during their 2005 European tour. With the exception of Spyro Gyra, no other ensemble has so expertly navigated the blurry lines between acoustic, fusion, and smooth jazz as these guys. The material, culled from the tour, comprises some of their greatest hits, including a spirited retake of the gospel-tinged "Jacketown," the sumptuous ballad "Geraldine," and the edgy, avant-garde leaning "Runferyerlife" and "Free Town." Supplemented by the DVD's concert footage, along with some revealing interviews with past and present band members, the "buzz" on this band shows no signs of diminishing. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
"The Yellowjackets are a superb jazz group, and I feel best heard live. This double CD set shows off these extremeley talented musicians . The intro to the first song is worth the price of the CD. Donnie Walton"
In their prime at 25
Jim Newsom | Norfolk, VA | 05/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Giving a Yellowjackets CD five stars seems kinda redundant. For most of their career, they have consistently produced outstanding recordings, and they remain one of the best live jazz bands in existence. This live outing commemorates the group's 25th birthday and is the latest in the new trend of CD/DVD combo packs. The audio disc comes from a performance in Paris last October, kicks off with Russ Ferrante's memorable gospel rave-up, "Revelation," and locks into a steady groove for the next 70 minutes that is simply mesmerizing. The DVD was filmed at a stop in Italy on the same tour and draws mostly from a different set-list (only three tunes turn up on both CD and DVD). For us Jacketeers, the video disc may be the most fun, taking us onstage and behind the scenes. The repertoire digs deep into the band's songbook, with fresh takes on longtime faves and forgotten mementoes. - Jim Newsom
originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 5/30/06.
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All rights reserved. Used by permission."
Top Notch Contemporary Jazz
Mark A. Wellman | Plaucheville, LA United States | 05/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like contemporary jazz, buy this. It includes a live CD from a concert in Paris and a live DVD from a concert in Italy. This quartet shows why they have been around for 25 years; everything about it is excellent. The only problem is which do I play, the CD or the DVD? This deserves ten stars, five for the CD and five for the DVD."
Wonderful!
Schwaller Juerg | Basel, Switzerland | 07/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"during the last decade the jellowjackets have shifted their sound from real fusion to jazz mxing again swing and bop. this is a wonderful mixture especially driven by r. ferrantes outstanding feeling for melodies. this record to their 25th anniversary includes a live set focusing on tunes from their last studio records. The package also includes a DVD showing a recent gig in an italian jazz club as well as interviews and other information about 25 years of yellowjackets. after buying it, I was listening it for several days....really great stuff. highly recommended not only for fans like me."
Melting fusion and smooth together.
Pete C. | Raleigh, NC USA | 02/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great show! All 4 players are seriously into the music they perform. You can hear it on the cd, and then watch it on the dvd. Great package. If you like contemporary Jazz, but wish the "smooth" was a bit rougher, or wish that the "fusion" genre is alive and well and improvisation is standard... then this is for you.
All in all, great contemporary Jazz that is alive and well!"