Yellowjackets - Four Corners (1987)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD. As was often the case around 1987 - and as noted in the advertisement below - the CD version included extended versions of at least one track plus a bonus track tacked on the end, Indigo.

Based on the album and track titles, this is a theme album based around travel. If you're looking for traces of world music influences, you can find them occasionally, but those aren't readily apparent. Even though the group gained a new drummer for this album, William Kennedy, the music is much an extension of the good stuff the group produced for their previous album, Shades. It's jazz fusion along the lines of Weather Report (which had just split) and Steps Ahead, but the difference is in the writing. To my ears, this music skews a little more instrumental pop/smooth jazz with more hooks and hummable melodies than found with those other groups. To date, the group has released more than 25 albums and I'd put this one in the top 20% of that output - an opinion "confirmed" over at Best Ever Albums.

The album was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental, eventually losing to Still Life (Talking) by the Pat Metheny Group.

Reviews/ratings:

• DownBeat (★★★★): "The commitment seems to be there, the chops certainly are, and from what Four Corners says, so is the passion."
• Billboard: "Might be the band's most derivative album ever, but considering the influences mined here, that may well appeal to fusion fans."
• CashBox: "Slick, latinified, and bubbly."
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #3
• CashBox Jazz: #3
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #1

Tracks: My favorites today are Out Of Town, Sightseeing, Mile High, and Geneva.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I'm getting some strong summer of '87 vibes from this one but nothing in particular comes to mind. That summer, between my junior and (first) senior year in college, I returned to San Antonio to spend about 3 months with my parents, had a summer job as a glazier/painter and took a couple of early morning classes at the local community college during the second summer session: Intro to Philosophy and Government. I'm not a fan of summer courses, but escaped with a B in both. 

Previously revisited for the blog:

Collection (1995)	Shades (1986)
Like A River (1993)	Samurai Samba (1985)
Greenhouse (1991)	Mirage à Trois (1983)
Politics (1988)	Yellowjackets (1981)

Yellowjackets- Samurai Samba (1985)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by a CD.

The band's third album, their first with saxophonist Marc Russo (formerly of Tower of Power) and their final album with producer Tommy LiPuma. For many years, I didn't replace my vinyl copy of this album with a CD because - in my fading memories - I didn't care much for the thing. But after picking up this CD from the used bin, I gave it a spin and was immediately able to sing/hum/burble along with the whole album. I had a similar experience with the band's CD Shades. It's no Mirage à Trois (my fave YJ album), but it's pretty darn good.

The review in Billboard stated that the album "could yield the crossover payoff they've waited for." Alas, 'twas not to be, but when you listen, you could tell they were really trying to achieve more commercial success with this one. Heck, they even brought in Bobby Caldwell to sing Lonely Weekend, an unabashed pop tune. And, because it was the mid-'80s, they released a promo 12" dance single for track 2, Deat Beat, with remix by Eric E.T. Thorngren. I recently came across a copy of said vinyl and uploaded it for your listening pleasure:

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #179
• Billboard Jazz: #10
• CashBox: #141
• CashBox Jazz: #3

Tracks: In addition to the aforementioned Lonely Weekend, my top picks today are Homecoming, Daddy's Gonna Miss You, and Silverlake.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Purchased during the spring semester of my freshman year of college, the album reminds me of my drafty dorm room in Berry Hall and spinning this LP on the Fisher stereo my parents gave me to celebrate my graduation from high school. I lived in various rooms in Berry Hall over 5 semesters. It was built in 1964 and finally closed in 2017. I haven't been back to visit since 2013 but from what I hear, the buildings are now used for storage.

Commerce, Texas

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Like A River (1993)
Greenhouse (1991)
Politics (1988)
Shades (1986)
Mirage à Trois (1983)
Yellowjackets (1981)

Yellowjackets (1981)

Note: the CD I listened to was the 2003 Rhino release with 4 bonus tracks

"The Yellowjackets's self-titled debut...announced the arrival of a formidable new unit on the contemporary music scene. ...Yellowjackets blended elements of funk, jazz, gospel, and blues into a refreshing new take on fusion."

-from Bill Milkowski's CD liner notes (bonus points for that Oxford comma)

A digital recording - not a common occurrence in '81. That fact, plus production from Tommy LiPuma should tell you exactly how this thing sounds: clean, clear, fantastic. That reminds me, I still need to pick up that LiPuma biography.

I first heard Yellowjackets in either late '83 or early '84 when one of my school band directors lent me his copy of Mirage à Trois, which I promptly dubbed to a cassette. I was just discovering contemporary jazz at the time, I loved the synth- and guitar-driven instrumentals of the Mirage album, so when I found somebody who had this debut album, I promptly dubbed that one to a cassette as well. I got rid of most of my cassettes in the early aughts, so I eventually replaced the music on those cassettes with CDs.

In 1981, the band was listed as a trio: keyboardist Russell Ferrante (still leading the band as of this writing), bass guitarist Jimmy Haslip (left the band in 2012), and drummer Ricky Lawson (left the band in 1987, died 2013). The group was put together by guitarist Robben Ford to support him in studio as he recorded his 1979 solo album, The Inside Story (memo to self: give that album a listen). With playing and writing support from de facto member Ford, the band recorded some demos, got a contract, and the recording began with LiPuma at the board.

Ford formerly played with Tom Scott and the LA Express, so there's some of that sound here along with a few nods to The Brecker Brothers. And though the solos in these pieces are great, the writing is more melodic than much fusion of the time. That may come from Ferrante writing for/working with pop/jazz/AC crossover artists like Marilyn Scott, Al Jarreau, and Michael Franks. Speaking of solos, the band gets some tasty guest solos on this album from the likes of Ernie Watts, Bobby Lyle, and Jerry Hey.

I'll readily admit I haven't heard all 25+ releases from the band, but after Mirage à Trois and Shades, this is my third favorite effort of theirs. I wish I'd been handed a copy back in '81.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "could become an across the board smash"
• CashBox: "light but satisfying fusion"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: 'bubbled under' at #201
• Billboard Jazz: #16
• CashBox Jazz: #25
• Record World Jazz: #27

Tracks: While I wouldn't skip any of the 7 tracks here, my favorites are Matinee Idol, Sittin' In It, and Priscilla.

Bonus tracks: If a little bit is good, more must be better. Based on previous posts, longtime readers of this here blog probably won't believe I'm actually writing these words, but the four bonus tracks here are all demos and they're all fantastic and highly enjoyable, particularly the Jeff Beck-like, slow groove track, Flat Tire. It's a safe bet that these bonus tracks made up the "digitally recorded demo that landed them a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records" as mentioned on the back of the 1987 CD release's longbox:

Exclusive CD longbox photos courtesy of
Dirk Digglinator of the Hambonian Archives.
click images to enlarge.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This album sends me back to my freshman year in college, so I'm guessing that's where I found somebody with a Lp to dub. So maybe late 1984 from a fraternity brother?

When I saw Jeff Lorber perform in 2019, original Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip played in the band so of course I kept hoping they'd break out at least one Yellowjackets song, but Lorber had over 40 years of material to draw on, plus a new album to promote, so that didn't happen. And even though I consider myself a longtime Yellowjackets fan, it wasn't until that night I learned Haslip - who is both self-taught and left-handed - plays a right-handed bass flipped upside down but not restrung. It's a fascinating thing to watch him play.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Like A River (1993)
Greenhouse (1991)
Politics (1988)
Shades (1986)
Mirage à Trois (1983)

Yellowjackets - Shades (1986)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

Back in April, I listened to Steve Winwood's Back In The High Life CD, and the memories came flooding back from 1986. I listed this Yellowjackets CD in that post and immediately located and purchased a used copy of the CD. I thought I'd remember a few tunes. Turns out that I must have listened to the crap out of this thing during the summer of '86 because I was singing/humming along with every darn track and vocalizing every darn solo. My second favorite Yellowjackets disc to Mirage à Trois, this one is slightly different: Mirage's melodies were synth-driven whereas Shades is led by alto sax, often doubled by bass. Glad I picked this one up (again) - what took me so long?!?

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "one of the finer fusion units working today"
• CashBox: "typically tight LP"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #195
• Billboard Jazz: #4
• CashBox Jazz: #3
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #4

Tracks:  The high energy lead track, And You Know That, is worth the price of admission (it also won a Grammy award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance). Revelation runs a close second. Also good are One Family and Oasis. The final two tracks were new to me as they didn't appear on the vinyl release; both are good. Why they would cut the Donald Fagen-penned title track of the album for the vinyl release is beyond me. And it's a good track to boot. Go figure. In any case, I don't skip any tracks.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  Same as Back In The High Life.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Like A River (1993)
Greenhouse (1991)
Politics (1988)
Mirage à Trois (1983)

Yellowjackets - Greenhouse (1991)

After several strong smooth jazz albums, this album marked the beginning of their the group's transition to more "serious" traditional straight-ahead jazz. The critics and hardcore fans loved the new direction. We smooth jazz aficionados did not (and be "we" I mean me). Oh well, despite the addition or strings and a focus on more acoustic instruments, there are a few good tunes here because while the approach was changing, the group still consisted of writers who knew the value of a good melody. The musicians work hard and I'd go see them in concert if they were appearing nearby. Not a bad album by any means, but I'll continue to favor the group's '80s output.

CashBox, March 30, 1991, p. 6

The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, eventually losing to the song Sassy from The Manhattan Transfer album The Offbeat Of Avenues.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1
• Cashbox Contemporary Jazz: #1

Tracks:  My picks for this album include Freedomland, Seven Stars, Liam/Rain Dance, and the Methenyish Invisible People. Skip the rambling, self-indulgent title track.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Like A River (1993)
Politics (1988)
Mirage à Trois (1983)

Yellowjackets - Like A River (1993)

I liked this group back when I first heard them in 1983 on Mirage à Trois, but then they started a slow transition from synth-based smooth pop/jazz to either saxophone-based fusion or straight-ahead neo-bop. The critics as well as the band's hardcore fans loved it. Me? Well, it's good for what it is and I enjoy a song when it should happen to come around on a shuffle, but that doesn't keep me from yearning for the group's early sound.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #3
• CashBox Jazz: #7

Tracks: My picks from this disc are My Old School and Dewey (for Miles). Not a fan of Sueños.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I picked this disc up as a part of a CD lot of jazz music I bought on eBay way back when.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Politics (1988)
Mirage à Trois (1983)

Yellowjackets - Mirage à Trois (1983)

While this album has never been named to any "best-of" lists for jazz fusion, I came across this music at just the right time in my life. When this was released, I was just discovering instrumental pop/smooth jazz through the music of Tom Scott, Spyro Gyra, and David Sanborn. At the same time, I was heavily into New Wave music with all its analog synthesizers and sequencing. This album seemed to combine the two: instrumental jazz with the synth as the main melodic instrument. Keyboardist Russell Ferrante played a lot of different instruments that were cutting edge at the time (Yamaha GS-1 and CE-20, OBX, and Prophet) which date the sound but in a good way, if that makes any sense. At this time, the group was basically a synth-bass-drums trio with lots of guest artists (Richard Elliot, Robben Ford, Randy Crawford, Bruce Hornsby, Brenda Russell, etc.) appearing on certain tracks, but in later releases, the group would add a permanent sax player. To me, they never sounded this good again.

Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, eventually losing to Travels by Pat Metheny Group.

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "should find action with crossover jazz formats"
• Stereo Review: Recording of Special Merit
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #134
• Billboard Jazz: #7
• CashBox: #152
• CashBox Jazz: #9

Tracks: I've heard this from top to bottom so many times, it's hard to pick favorites. The songs are all very uplifting and enjoyable. Today, I'll single out Claire's Song, Pass It On, Goin' Home, and Man In The Moon.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Back in the early '80s, I dubbed a cassette of my high school band director's LP. It got a lot of playing time in my car stereo as well as my Walkman WM-10, mainly in the summer of 1984. I stayed with the group for a few more releases after this (Samurai Samba, Shades, and Politics), but I eventually lost interest in them. This was the group's second album, but there's no sophomore slump here - this is my favorite Yellowjackets release.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Collection (1995)
Politics (1988)

Yellowjackets - Collection (1995)

"COLLECTION" WEEK (JUNE 4-10, 2012)

Not a great compilation from this fusion group. Yellowjackets are a good group, this just isn't a representative collection. Prior to this release, the group had recorded 11 albums. This compilation contains tracks taken from only 5 of those 11 releases. Granted, the first three albums were with another label, but that fact doesn't help the weakness of the compilation here. It's almost like an intern at GRP was given the task of putting this thing together.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: Of the CD's 11 tracks, 5 are from a live album, 1992's Live Wires. I bought this solely because it contained one of my favorite Yellowjackets tracks, And You Know That, from the 1986 album, Shades, which won the 1986 Grammy for "Best R&B Instrumental Performance." And You Know That is 80s synth-jazz in all its dated cheesy wonderfulness à la David Sanborn. Also good are Freedomland, Jacket Town, and Revelation; the latter features guest artists Take 6.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: In the mid-90s, I bought this CD at a Sound Warehouse (the name had probably changed to Blockbuster Music by then) located in the Lincoln Heights shopping center in San Antonio. This store was an enormous place with at least ten listening stations. For a person like me, it was very welcoming, simultaneously exciting and relaxing. It is long gone. I prefer buying music online now because of the convenience, but I do miss visiting and browsing record/CD stores.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Politics (1988)

Yellowjackets - Politics (1988)

Founded in 1981 and often grouped in with smooth jazz groups, Yellowjackets quickly evolved into a more straight-ahead fusion/post bop in the style of Weather Report or Steps Ahead. The standout players in this quartet are Russell Ferrante on keyboards and Jimmy Haslip on 5-string bass. Marc Russo (saxophone) has great skills but doesn't always have the best tone. As the CD goes on, the music becomes more acoustic and less electronic, but the characteristics of the band's music don't change: busy accompaniment, lots of melodic doubling, and plenty of cymbal work.

In 1989, the album was awarded the Grammy for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, an award only given the years 1980-1991.

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "there's enough electronic ooze to entice the post-Weather Report generation."
• Stereo Review: "emphasizes composing and arranging over improvising"
• High Fidelity: "this disc is very near as bland as Dan Quayle"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #5
• CashBox Jazz: #4

Tracks: 10 tracks clocking in at almost 50 minutes. My favorites are Oz, Local Hero, Foreign Correspondent, and Evening Dance. The obligatory late '80s tribute song to Jaco Pastorius, Galileo, is pretty bland but has some nice soloing by Haslip. I usually skip One Voice.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I listened to this often during the fall of 1988 when I was student teaching. I didn't have many CDs then (I was in college and they were expensive), so the few I had were listened to quite a bit.