New sounds (and views) for spring

Jazz

Chuck Workman

The latest crop of CD releases cover a wide variety of jazz styles and moods. The current trend in jazz releases provides a bonus for jazz fans by adding a DVD in the same package. Here are two new releases that may appeal to your taste.

Yellowjackets
Twenty Five
Headsup

CD: 4 Stars
DVD: 3 Stars

It doesn’t seem possible that the Yellowjackets have been together that long. Ever since keyboardist Russell Ferrante and bassist Jimmy Haslip started the group in 1981, there have only been five personnel changes. Bob Mintzer replaced Marc Russo on sax in 1990 and is still a major part of the group’s playing and composing. The drum seat has seen the most changes, with the most recent being Marcus Baylor taking over the sticks from Peter Erskine in 2000.

They have recorded 21 CDs. This latest release celebrates their longevity together as a cutting-edge fusion jazz group. Of the CD’s eight tunes, Ferrante composed six, with Mintzer and Baylor splitting the rest.

Recorded in concert in Paris, France, the Jackets demonstrate what musical kindred souls they are after all this time. They open with “Revelation,” a joyous shout by all that harkens back to the soul jazz sounds of the ‘60s. “Jacketown” has an African accent with Haslip up front wailing away on electric bass and setting the tone for Mintzer’s tenor sax journey. The mood dramatically shifts on Baylor’s original “Free Day,” with Mintzer opening on the electronic wind instrument then switching back to tenor on this flirtation with free jazz with a pulse. Baylor’s percussion work throughout gives a fresh lift to the group.

On the DVD disc recorded at the Naima Club in Forli, Italy, the band plays only four tunes of the nine here from the CD. The 5.1 surround sound is good and they are in a zone. Visually, it’s a little dark in the club, but the Jackets give a sterling performance.

Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis
Showcase
LRS Media

CD &DVD: 4.5 Stars

There has been a lot of media hype about this series for jazz lovers on PBS television, seen locally Thursdays on WFYI Channel 20 at 10 p.m. This CD-DVD dual disc is slick and well-done and covers 11 areas of the art of jazz. It opens with “The Jazz Singers,” a raucous fun-filled vocal romp between Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling on “Take Five.” “The Golden Horns” tribute feature is a trumpet salute with a sharp distinction between Chris Botti’s pensive reading on “My Funny Valentine” and Clark Terry’s hilarious romp on his classic “Mumbles.” “The Altos” has David Sanborn and Phil Woods locking horns on Horace Silver’s tune “Senor Blues” with both of them going for it. “Roots the Blues” showcases the contrasting blues styles of Robert Cray and Keb Mo’, both on vocals and guitars with rhythm on “12 Year Old Boy.” Veteran saxophonist/composer Benny Golson is featured on “The Tenors,” playing his classic “Killer Joe.” A very swinging performance provided by Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli on the American Songbook, doing “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with a cooking rhythm section.

Other artists in the series include Billy Taylor and Dave Brubeck together, Marcus Miller, Lee Ritenour and George Duke grooving on contemporary jazz. The series host Ramsey Lewis performs the Coltrane tune “Dear Lord.”

The DVD has an outstanding highlight from each week’s show, directed with taste and a feel to bring you to the bandstand. The audio and video were recorded simultaneously with exceptional sound on both discs.