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. ~ Scott Yanow