Most people file Yellowjackets under ‘fusion’, but they have always remained within touching distance of jazz, thanks to group founder Ferrante’s solos and from 1990, Mintzer’s tenor and EWI (electric wind instrument). They have also steered clear of the jazz-rock tendency to lurch into heavy backbeats and wide-eyed, ‘widlee-widlee’ soloing. Indeed, Yellowjackets are a model of electric jazz probity, which probably accounts for their longevity. You know they are not going wake up the mother-in-law dozing in the corner. Fasten Up is no exception.

Mintzer, a fine composer and arranger, integrates his EWI into the ensemble to excellent effect while Ferrante’s keyboards, both acoustic and electric, work well within the context of the music, which perhaps lacks the bite of the original band on albums such as Yellowjackets, Mirage a Trois and Shades.