Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Yellowjackets: A Rise in the Road

Yellowjackets: A Rise in the Road

By Ian Patterson
October 2, 2013
View read count

With the departure of bassist

Jimmy Haslip

bass
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Haslip in 2012, pianist

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Ferrante is the sole original member, more than three decades after the band's debut recording Yellowjackets (Warner Bros, 1981) set the ball rolling. That said, saxophonist

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer has been onboard 22 years and drummer

Will Kennedy

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Kennedy 14. Not for nothing does the twenty second studio recording sound every bit a Yellowjackets offering—and a fine one at that. New bassist

Felix Pastorius

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Felix Pastorius has been touring with the band for over a year and in quiet fashion makes the bass chair his own.

Melodically seductive throughout, there's less bite than on Lifecycle (Heads Up, 2008), which featured guitarist

Mike Stern

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Stern and fewer really memorable tunes compared to the exquisite Timeline (Mack Avenue Records, 2011). Nevertheless, A Rise in the Road is a worthy addition to the band's discography. As ever, Ferrante and Mintzer share writing duties and the trademark Yellowjackets sound remains firmly intact; straight-ahead grooves and flowing bop lines co-exist with sprightly jazz-funk, R&B, and the light, orchestral grace that Ferrante has honed on synthesizer since the outstanding Greenhouse (GRP, 1991).

The up-tempo "When the Lady Dances" starts with a jaunty piano intro before Ferrante and Mintzer fuse on boppish unison lines. Mintzer's unmistakable tenor bounces with R&B swagger over Pastorius' walking bass. Ferrante's singing right-hand response sounds equally celebratory. Ferrante and Mintzer are closely bound once again on the mellifluous "Civil War," with Ferrante on keyboards and Kennedy and Pastorius keeping it simple and in the pocket. Conventional in form these tunes may be, but they're also melodically, harmonically and rhythmically engaging. And as always, the Yellowjackets sound like no-one but themselves.

The funky piano ostinato on "Can't We Elope" tips a wink to pianist

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island"; guest trumpeter

Ambrose Akinmusire

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Ambrose Akinmusire broadens the sonic palette in harmony with Mintzer before they alternate lively solos. Akinmusire and Mintzer are again protagonists on "An Informed Decision" but just when they seem set to really rip in an extended back and forth the song teasingly fades. Frustratingly, this is also the case on the boppish charger "An Amber Shade of Blue," though Akinmusire gets to exercise his considerable chops before the producer's accursed fade dial turns. It leaves you wanting more, which is what the band's memorable live shows are for.

The balladic "Longing" has an alluring cinematic grandeur, with Pastorius and Mintzer weaving a quiet spell over Ferrante's ethereal tinkling while Kennedy subtly stirs the pot. Pastorious displays heartfelt lyricism on another Ferrante ballad, ("You'll Know) When It's Time," while "Thank You" and "Madrugada" are elegant slices of Yellowjackets tune 'n' groove. The tropical air of "I Knew His Father" pays joyous tribute to Pastorius father, bassist

Jaco Pastorius

bass, electric
1951 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaco Pastorius whose Word of Mouth big band featured Mintzer in the early 1980s.

The road has been a long one for the Yellowjackets and rarely has it been straight—half a dozen members have come and gone and as many record companies. Yet through it all the music has never stood still. On this showing, there are clearly plenty more laps of the planet left in the tank.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

When The Lady Dances; Civil War; Can��t We Elope; An Informed Decision; Longing; Thank You; Madrugada; An Amber Shade of Blue; (You��ll Know) When It��s Time; I Knew His Father.

Personnel

Yellowjackets

band / ensemble / orchestra

Russell Ferrante: piano, keyboards; Bob Mintzer: tenor saxophone; Wil Kennedy: drums; Felix Pastorius: electric bass; Ambrose Akinmusire: trumpet (3-4, 8)

Album information

Title: A Rise In The Road | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Ted Nash: The Goal Is Creativity
< Previous

Jazz au Chellah Festival 2013
Next >

Yellowjackets Concerts

Oct 9 Thu

Yellowjackets

New Orleans Jazz Market
New Orleans, LA

Oct 10 Fri

Yellowjackets

New Orleans Jazz Market
New Orleans, LA

Jan 23 Fri

Yellowjackets

Loeb Playhouse
West Lafayette, IN

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.