Customer Reviews

Four Corners

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
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I slipped into jazz by way of Steely Dan back in the late '70s. Since then my collection has expanded to include a whole range of artists, from Adderley to Zawinul. But I always return to the Yellowjackets and, in particular, this CD. Why? Here's the short answer to that question: Buy the CD. Put track 1 on. Turn it up LOUD. You can lose yourself in just that one track for days, and then there's track 2 ...

And the long answer: this is all pretty subjective, of course, but the reason I like this CD so much has as much to do with what it isn't as what it is. First of all, it isn't some '80s version of '50s jazz or some jazzed up new age [stuff]. Most of the cuts on this CD are what was called "jazz fusion," the fusion of jazz and rock. The only "big success" (in terms of records sold) for jazz fusion is Steely Dan, mostly because they stayed on the "rock" side of the mix (to the extent that much of their music is better categorized as jazz influenced rock). But there were some great (artistically successful) jazz fusion groups back then (Weather Report being one of the best known). Of all of these groups, the Yellowjackets stand out as one that consistently got the spirit (the drive; the intensity) of jazz fusion right.

Beginning with their Four Corners CD, the Yellowjackets really got the fusion right (much more jazz than their earlier releases). Compared with their earlier releases, something magical is happening here. As magical as it is, the credit for how great it sounds is due to the incredible mix of talent the 4 members of the group bring to the music.

The music is grounded by William Kennedy on the drums, arguably the best jazz drummer of the '80s. On top of the drums is Jimmy Haslip's bass (both 5 string and fretless). Jimmy's style of playing owes much to Jaco Pastorius (the hugely influential bassist for Weather Report who reinvented the art of playing bass). There's no adequate way of describing how great a fretless bass can sound - you just have to listen to someone like Jimmy playing it (try track 7).

On top of the drums and bass is Russell Ferrante's piano and keyboard playing. If you want to hear what musicians mean by "fat chords" and "fat sounds," listen to Russell's playing - it's the reason that most of the cuts on this CD sound like there are 10 people playing instead of 4. Russell, who wrote or co-wrote most of the tracks on this CD has an incredible range, from gospel phrasing to syncopated African rhythms, and is equally adept at slow, achingly beautiful melodies as he is at lightening fast, jack-hammered runs. On top of all of it is Mark Russo's saxophone. When this guy gets going it's incredible - he gets an unbelievable amount of emotional mileage out of a saxophone without ever approaching the egotistical, plastic passion of players like Kenny G[ag]. Mark's range is just as impressive as Russell's - from flat out wailing (in track 2, for example) to the incredibly tender longing expressed in the melody of track 4.

This is undoubtedly my favorite jazz-fusion CD of all time. From the upbeat Mile High / Wildlife tracks to the soaring, haunting melody of Open Road (what a great melody - always makes me think of a girl from Brussels, Belgium, that I dated for about 3 months while she was here in the Exchange Student program). This CD will turn even the bleakest rainy day into a rainbow-filled, sunny day.

Four Corners does exactly that - traverses the world and back with imaginative melodies and beautiful solos.

Peace Out.

This album made many Jazz radio playlists in late 80's. And it's no wonder. One listen to this CD and you'll be hooked!! From the cheerful "Mile High" to my personal favorite "Passports", you will play this classic CD over and over again. Buy it if you can!!

I bought this album because I heard 'Room with a view', which contains one of the most incredible sax solos i've ever heard. Yellowjackets display their virtuosity on this album, particularly on tracks such as 'Sightseeing' 'Room with a view' and 'Indigo'- it's a real pleasure to listen to such intricate, tight and beautiful music played by really spectacular musicians.
This album is so exciting because the band really explored different aspects of music, 'Wildlife' is almost minimalist in parts and illustrates how syncopation, cross rhythms and world beats can combine to great effect, producing endlessly fascinating music.
Every track on this album is unique and special, you must get this!!!

Not sure what Yellowjackets cd to get? I would highly recommend this one. Both relaxing and fun to listen to, the Yellowjackets bring their music alive.

This is one of their older recordings, and perhaps one of their best.

Mile High is amazing.

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I've enjoyed this compilation since 1989. It is intangible pleasure from start to finish. I have several favorites here, but the "world sound" of Wildlife gets to me everytime! I still can't get enough of that song! This is probably one of my 3 favorite Yellowjackets CDs. It is definitely golden. I hadn't realized how popular it has become over the years. I thought I was the only one in love with it. Oh well. I hope you can join the party too!

Yellowjackets have gone through a number of permutations in their two and a half decades as a group, both musically and with changes in the members of the band. This album, in my opinion, still represents not only one of the highlights of the groups playing/writing but is in my top twenty albums ever produced by anyone EVER! Marc Russo's lyrical and creative input on alto and soprano saxes is truly inspirational to me (as a jazz musician) and the rest of the group's playing is right up there with him.

While I enjoy their later work and seeing them live whenever possible, Four Corners has yet to be surpassed. The writing of mostly Russell Ferrante (keyboards) and Jimmy Haslip (bass guitar) combines the best of the many influencing disciplines (jazz, classical, gospel, etc.) that makes Yellowjackets such a world class group. This album would serve as a great introduction to Yellowjackets to a newcomer to this music, which should be followed-up with Politics and The Spin. RECOMMENDED HIGHLY!

I attended a concert headlining Larry Carlton at the Paramount (austin,texas) back in the late 80s and the Yellowjackets were the openning act. This was the CD they had just released. I have owned this CD for at least 20 years and like prior reviewers, I think this is one of the finest examples of late 80s fusion jazz. They carried on in the tradition of Weather Report, Return to Forever from the late 70s. Jimmy Haslip is one of my favorite bassists, along with Jaco Pastorius and Scott LaFaro. You simply cannot go wrong buying this music...

I remember playing this album as a jazz dj for an Los Angeles college radio station and being blown away. I interviewed Russell Ferrante and broadcast it during the month it was released. I won't waste your time and restate all the wonderful reviews already submitted, but will say that this was their best effort and very much influenced by Weather Report who had pioneered this World Music approach to progressive jazz 10 years earlier. Russell said as much in the interview we did way back in the 1980s and this not only is a fitting tribute to Weather Report but a MAJOR STATEMENT ABOUT THE ARTISTRY OF the YELLOWJACKETS!!!! Over 20 years old and still a beautiful, creative, passionate example of contemporary/progressive jazz as it is supposed to be played.....it is timeless and sounds great today!!!!

I ordered this for someone else. I heard this in album form, long time ago.
It's for jazz enthusiasts.