Time Squared [ENHANCED]

Yellow Jackets

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 27, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B000096FUA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,670 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The title track to a supreme effort from the 'Jackets is quite interesting taken in perspective with the band's history. It is a decidedly late-'70s fusion-styled jam, a reminder that this band was there, a bridge between late-fusion, '80s smooth jazz and progressive 21st century contemporary jazz. A two year respite from the studio has rejuvenated this quartet, particularly composer and keyboard player, Russell Ferrante. Quality songwriting and spectacular soloing is nothing new from this veteran group, but something--let's call it the enjoyment level, for both the players and the listeners--is much higher than their last few studio releases. The sharp, crisp drumming on "Monk's Habit" and the go-go rhythms on "Go-Go" suggest that new member Marcus Baylor has added a freshness to the band. There's so much good music on these 11 tracks, that even after 20 plus years and many great albums, history may record Time Squared as the definitive Yellowjackets album. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected brilliance from a venerable fusion outfit, July 10, 2003

By	Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A hard group to figure, the Yellowjackets are equally at home in funk, fusion, post-bop, Latin-jazz, and world-jazz, sometimes, it seems, all at once. A big factor separating them from other fusion outfits is the looming presence of Bob Mintzer. With a solid grounding in mainstream jazz (as the leader of his own big band, e.g., he's recorded 11 discs), he adds grit, weight, and depth to this band, where other, similar outfits often opt for the smooth approach from the saxophone chair.

When he wants to, Russ Ferrante can also rip on piano in a straight-ahead mode. Indeed, that's his preferred instrument on this outing, unusual for a fusion band. Newcomer Marcus Baylor on drums and percussion brings a hard-driving jazz sensibility. Coming out of the Gene Jackson school of highly sophisticated funk-jazz, he also seems to have a bit of Tain in him. Even Jimmy Haslip, the least likely straight jazzer here, seems to have caught the vibe.

This strikes me as not only a huge advance for the 'Jackets, but also as one of the smartest, hippest jazz recordings of what must be regarded as a standout year for brilliant jazz.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hip to be Squared., May 29, 2003

By	Joe Goodwin (Dallas Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vintage Ferrante, Haslip & Company. Each recording, this being their first on the 'Heads Up' label, is something akin to running into an old friend and catching up on what they've been doing since you last saw them. In the Yellowjackets case, quite a bit. Liner notes on several other recordings contain session work by some or all of the band members. Mintzer and Haslip have even produced solo efforts. Yet they still find time to sequester themselves for a studio project like this. Those familiar with the band know every release has that one chart with the patented YJ's groove (syncopated, odd time signatured, major/minor chord progressioned), 'Sea Folk' the case-in-point here. Like that really smart girl you dated in college - just kinda gets under your skin. Complex, but subtle enough that repeated encounters rarely become tiresome. 'Monk's Habit' also has this quality, but with a more straight-ahead vibe. And while all are worthy, some charts simply work better than others. This disc is not as accessible as some of the group's other recordings (don't know that I'd recommend this as a first Yellowjackets purchase), but once you've gotten 'squared,' you'll appreciate what they've accomplished the more you listen.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Direction, June 25, 2003

By	"brtherjohn" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

I'm still fairly new to The Yellowjackets. This is my 4th album which spans 20 some years. Musically, this is the most advanced and perhaps least accessible of the material I've heard from them. Casual fans of the Yellowjackets should pick this disc up quickly and attentitively listen to all of the tracks - again and again. This is true modern jazz. Not as smooth or pop like some of their previous efforts, but more experimental in the use of harmonies, textures and obviously rythms. Great sound production, too.