Customer Reviews

Politics

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can remember like it was yesterday. The year was late 1989, maybe even a fresh 1990, and I was just a kid; about 22-23 years old. I went to a music store on payday to buy my wife an album; just because (it was Bobby Brown's Don't Be Cruel). As I was looking around for something different, yet cool I stumbled onto the Politics album. I was still living in the "smooth jazz" world which had recently errupted with the likes of Kenny G, David Sanborn, Dave Koz.etc. Thinking I would get a jazz album with a groove like those mentioned above, I eagerly purchased both albums and went home to surprize my wife.

Needless to say, my wife was very happy with my gift to her. As I listnened to my gift to myself, I scratched my head in confusion. I didn't know what to think of it. I put it away and forgot about it for about a month. Then I decided to pull it out again and listen and this time, I was totally blown away by such musicianship and I have been a Yellowjackets fan ever since.

Politics is one of the best jazz releases in my opinion; simply because it is interesting from beginning to end. At times it's playful in a "jam"
sense yet very structured. You can hear all their influences like Miles, Coltrane and Monk just to name a few, and there is also some groove without becoming too groovy like smooth jazz. The standout track on the album is one called Downtown; Talk about all over the place! This is drummer William Kennedy's shining moment. What a magnificent drummer!

To thouroughly describe Politics would be like trying to explain the secret of life, its impossible! If you are a fan of great jazz without becoming too sappy, this is the disc for you. If you are looking for Kenny G, stay clear of this.

It's a hard release to find. I played my album copy for years until last year I found a cd version and of course I snagged it quick! But just for old times sake, I still play my vinyl version and think back on that cold winter's day of the late 80's and thank myself for taking a chance on this gem.

I originally had this CD on tape and was missing a few tracks, so I was ecstatic to find it again on CD. Nice to see the original cover art too! A really great CD!!This item came on time and in perfect condition, another wonderful find on Amazon!

THIS IS A MASTERFUL ALBUM PRODUCED BY MASTERS OF THEIR CHOSEN ART. THESE GUYS CAN RAMP UP ONE JAZZY JAM AFTER ANOTHER TO CRESCENDOS THAT CHANGED ME. THERE ARE ALSO NUANCED MOMENTS OF TENDER MUSICAL INSIGHT THAT TOUCHED ME VERY MUCH.

The other great effort was Four Corners. Many people don't know the Yellowjackets won a grammy for this album and were nominated for Four Corners. Once the saxophonist Marc Russo and drummer William Kennedy left the group the music just took a huge nosedive in my opinion. Bob Mintzer is a great saxophonist but to me his sound never felt "right" with this group. Marc just could never control his temper. It's a shame. I miss their group cohesion very much but I treasure these CD's even more for it.

What would have been a decent if not great fusion album is pretty much ruined by the horrible sax work by Marc Russo, who sounds like a cross between Kenny G and Dave Sanborn, two of the sax players I absolutely abhor. If you like them, chances are you will enjoy this album also, otherwise check out the jackets' later work with Bob Mintzer, who is miles and miles above these guys as a player and composer.