Customer Reviews

Time Squared

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I have pretty much everything YellowJackets ever produced, and just wanted to let anyone who's interested in this album know that, far from losing anything, this band just keeps getting better. Russel (not from this planet) Ferrante's composing, comping, and soloing on this album is just incredibly rich and fresh. The drumming is superb (and with some of these time signatures, just amazing). Mintzner's playing has never been better, sometimes I just want to thank him for caring about the notes more than anything else. And Haslip (also not from this planet) seems also to be at the prime of his carreer. You gotta love this band--in my estimation there is nothing like them.

I have several Yellowjackets albums. From top to bottom, this one is the best. All of the tunes are solid. The sound quality is very good too, a disc one can use to show off a good sound system.

This is just a great CD! With instrumental music, I can easily feel the "mood" but with "Time Squared," can really feel the emotion coming through, too. Many of the songs are dedications to family members, lost friends, etc., and you can really sense the feelings put into this music. It's at times very technical music, but there is no "showiness" about it...hardly a screaming or wailing note, yet there is a very tasteful intensity to it.