Yellowjackets: Rise In The Road

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Will Kennedy (d)
Felix Pastorius (b)
Russell Ferrante (p, ky)
Ambrose Akinmusire (t)
Bob Mintzer (s)

Label:

Mack Avenue

July/2013

Catalogue Number:

MAC1073

RecordDate:

date not stated

The Yellowjackets aren’t so much a band as an institution, so when Jimmy Haslip made his sabbatical from the band permanent, you wouldn’t have blamed them for calling it a day after 30 odd years. But when one legend leaves, why not fill the chasm with the son of another? Step forward Felix Pastorius, and may this be the last time he’s referred to as the ‘son of Jaco’. Mind you, the band milk the association themselves: Mintzer’s ‘I Knew His Father’ is a joyous tribute to Jaco, while ‘(You’ll Know) When It’s Time’ evokes mood pieces like ‘A Remark You Made’ from Weather Report’s canon. And it’s no surprise that Felix’s tone is so sonorously reminiscent of his father’s because that’s Jaco’s bass, lent to Felix by its present owner, Robert Trujillo, the bassist of Metallica. There’s also fresh blood on board with young trumpet star Akinmusire lighting up Mintzer’s re-working of ‘Cantaloupe Island’ as ‘Can’t We Elope’. So fans can rest easy: all things, even the Jackets, must change, but the heritage is in good hands.

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