Jazz Legacy Foundation

from Lindsey Webster Jul / Aug 2022

by Smooth Jazz Magazine

Najee New CD

JACKIEM JOYNER

ALEX BUGNON

LORI WILLIAMS KEIKO MATSUI

ADAM HAWLEY

JJ SANSAVERINO

KIRK WHALUM MARION MEADOWS

Festival

CD Reviews

Review By: Avzal Ismail The Yellowjackets… repeat after me The Yellowjackets!! What does one say about one of the greatest groups to grace the planet of this or any other era? Whenever this group announces the release of a new album, jazz lovers the world over wait in anticipation and to date four plus decades later, they have yet to disappoint and Parallel Motion is no different. Messers Ferrante,

Mintzer, Kennedy and

Alderson once again deliver an off the charts musical punch that leaves the listener dazed with appreciation with brilliant, peerless musicianship and compositions that are the hallmark of this super group. Parallel Motion cements their reputation in the annals of musical history and at the rate that they are going there's a lot more where that came from. As a lifelong follower and fan I have every album from the original Yellowjackets with Robben Ford to this latest offering and one can track the musical growth 84 SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… JulJAug

CD Reviews

and maturity through the years.

While they ooze with technical brilliance and chops to boot, the compositions have grown in depth and concept and this album displays that abundantly.

Now entering their FIFTH decade as a group, they sound as youthful and as fresh as ever.

What sets them apart isn't only their longevity as a group but also the consistently inspired quality of their music. Marked for release on August 26th, this their sixth album for Mack Avenue Records captures once again a truly vibrant musical communion with no signs of slowing down.

According to Bob Mintzer in his own words "The music represents the commitment to stay together and keep moving forward. It's really about this four cornered square that functions no matter what. With each record, all four of us are on the hunt to put the notes together and the music keeps growing. The focus is this band. A clear identifiable sound. Four equal parts."

Indeed, every member is well represented on Parallel Motion.

The album opens with a Mintzer composition "Intrigue" that offers various twists and turns with shifting grooves with all four musicians in perfect response to each other. Jul/Aug Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 85

Russell Ferrante's beautiful "Il Mio Amico" is a beautiful piece written in an inspired moment on his newly acquired Fazioli piano which was used on the album.

Alderson's grooving piece "Early" creates a lighter atmosphere with an R&B almost party flavour that gets the feet tapping no doubt.

My personal favorite is the beautiful "Samaritan" written by drummer William Kennedy. A warm beautiful melody that I have on repeat.

It's great to hear Jean Baylor again in collaboration with the band on the gorgeous "If you Believe." Jean of course being the wife of former Jackets drummer Marcus Baylor who held the drum thrown when Kennedy went on an extended hiatus.

Once again, the Yellowjackets have delivered with style, class and musicianship that is without peer. This album grows and grows on you with each subsequent listening session. It is hard to imagine that it could be surpassed, but knowing the Yellowjackets that's to be expected on the next album...in the meantime, I'll get down to the business of enjoying every single note on this brilliant offering from what is easily in my opinion the greatest quartet on the planet. 86| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Jul/Aug