The Yellowjackets: Parallel Motion

Of the original 1977 members of the Yellowjackets, all but keyboards man Russell Ferrante departed long ago. But saxophonist Bob Mintzer, who joined in 1991, is still there and, to a large extent, the idea also lingers on: we hear echoes of it in the work of Snarky Puppy, for example.

That idea was/is Californian jazz-funk. But how do you keep it sounding fresh after 45 years and 26 albums (27 if you count the one with Bobby McFerrin)? Well, they have mellowed, as one might expect. The relentless grooves abate more often than they once did, as on drummer Will Kennedy's "Samaritan" and Ferrante's "Il Mio Amico." All four Yellowjackets contributed to the writing of Parallel Motion, and that provides the album with both variety and quality. Bassist Dane Alderson's gently grooving "Early" is perhaps the most appealing tune. Ferrante's hymn-like "If You Believe," featuring guest singer Jean Baylor (wife of the band's erstwhile drummer Marcus) is a fine and delicate composition, despite the somewhat hokey lyric.

Of course, slickness is a given with most fusion bands. Lesser ensembles than this one can seem content merely to demonstrate their musicianship: to put it another way, some music is more fun to play than it is to listen to. The Yellowjackets were always hot on the groove, natch, rather less so on the melodies. "Resilience" is a characteristically perky tune, full of complex syncopation, but it is hard to imagine whistling it as you walk down the street, partly because the harmony changes too fast to make sense of the melody, and partly because the rhythm is elusive. But on most of Parallel Motion, the melodies are stronger than ever.

Despite a few reservations, this album is a grower. After several listens, one's suspicions of blandness begin to melt away and the tunes begin to emerge. In short, there is plenty of depth below the smooth surface, and much to enjoy.