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Review - Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern
Lifecycle Heads-Up International
July 26, 2008 - In today’s’ world it is unfortunate that society concentrates on the negative so very much. It is present every night on the news and in the papers, and more often than not usually the headline.
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Natalie Cole has Hepatitis C
 July 23, 2008 – Our thoughts go out to Natalie Cole today. The singer has just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. In a statement from her publicist the singer said, “I’ve been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences,” More
Roselyn Brown Shares her Best Nights!
 July 29, 2008 – Roselyn Brown is pumped! The Smooth Jazz flautist/vocalist has just had her CD release party for her great new ‘Emancipation’ CD, “A great deal of work goes into making an event like this happen!” More. |
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People today tend to look for the negative, and unfortunately so do most music critics of all formats. The reality of it is, more likely the product reviewed will be remembered long after the comments of even the harshest of critics and that the product took more effort to create than the best of words put down on a sheet of paper. I have seen some of the fans reviews and they are pretty critical of the new release from this Grammy winning group. Why is this? Maybe it is because most fans of the group like the music to be in line with a previous favorite release, and not dare to take too many chances which probably is in line with most record labels thinking too.With their new release “Lifecycle” the Yellowjackets have actually gone back to their roots by adding a guitar to the stellar quartet’s sound. The original guitar player back in the embryo days of this legendary group was Robben Ford, a pro indeed who is now immersed in some great blues playing. |
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Lewis Paying Tribute to Abraham Lincoln
 July 27, 2008 - A musical piece paying tribute to next year's 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth (1809). The musical composition will get its inspiration from Lincoln's life and musicians from the 19th century. More
The LaBelle Reunion, Will It Really Happen?
 July 27, 2008 - Trio Labelle, including famous singers Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash is reunited after 32 years and is currently in a studio working on their next still untitled album. More |
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So to add guitar to the 2008 project gifted and talented jazz guitarist Mike Stern was incorporated and even contributed two of his own penned tracks. The end result are ten music laden tracks of which 7 feature Mike Sterns’ guitar workings and the 3 remaining are some flawless quartet work that showcase just how good the Yellowjackets are. The idea for this project actually happened in Montreal where Mike Stern invited “Jackets” to perform together at the 2007 Montreal Jazz Fest, where the chemistry must have been great as it extends to this recording that highlights all five musicians’ credentials. From the opening notes of the disc ‘Falken’s Maze’ the playing is crisp and tight. Mike Stern’s fretwork interweaves with the Yellowjackets creating textures of groove laden rhythms and sparkling solos. The vibe then takes a distinctive laid back southern feel to ‘Country Living’ with some stellar bass lines and bluesy yet soulful jazz licks from Mike Stern’s guitar all over the tight rhythm from Jimmy Haslip and Marcus Baylor that builds to a jam from Russell Ferrante’s keys and Bob Mintzer’s sax before fading out to that soulful southern groove. |
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Hathaway To Open Detroit Jazz Fest
 July 24, 2008 - Performers have been announced for this year's Detroit International Jazz Festival, set to to take place from August 29 to September 1 , 2008. More
Stewart Lookin’ to Kick Jude Law’s Ass
 July 23, 2008 – Every dad gets a little possessive when someone hurts his little girl. Rod Stewart is in a fighting mood on hearing his daughter Kimberly’s ex, Jude Law is rebounding with Lily Cole. More. |
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Mike Stern’s penned ‘Double Nickel’ is next and one of the highlights of the disc with some serious fretwork over a massive groove, leading to a smooth yet energetic solo from Bob Mintzer and a piano workout form Russell Ferrante. This track is begging for airplay and exposure and showcases the musicians’ at their best. On ‘Dreams Go’ the vibe is slow and sensual and very easily could find it’s way to the big screen as easily as it will find it’s way into your memory banks of those ones that got away memories, a simply stunning track of depth that showcases the ability to reach deep for simple yet soul touching music. ‘Measure of a Man’ is the first of the 3 quartet workouts and should be a live staple track for years to come. The piece is energetic and keeps its’ focus for over 7 minutes. ‘Yahoo” is a complexity of fascinating rhythms, groove laden solos and sparkling interplay between all five performers. The hooks jump off the speakers in a track that is made for cruising or hanging with friends.
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That brings us to another of my favorite tracks of the project ‘I Wonder’ with an easy going vibe and some thought provoking solos from Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer and Jimmy Haslip. Find yourself an easy chair and curl up with this track as it reaches deep within. Up next is my favorite of the project ‘3 Circles’ which is a 7:30 workout of pure jazz expression and musicianship from some of the most accredited and passionate jazz artists of today. Each member has his solo over a tight groove from Marcus Baylor and Jimmy Haslip that seams together effortlessly for a remarkable piece of modern music. The remaining two combo pieces are ‘Claire’s Closet’ and ‘Lazaro’ which are both Yellowjackets’ exemplary compositions and bring a smooth yet demanding closure to a classy project. Charter member Russell Ferrante has said that he wanted “Lifecycles” to feel like Mike had been in the band forever and from my ears they have succeeded. “Lifecycles” has proven that once again you may have to take a step back in order to move forward to new and exciting roads in music….and in life. - by Paul Ericson
Yellow
Jackets and Mike Stern: Jazz Stars Set for A New
Album Next Year
 December
13, 2007 - The Yellowjackets,
two-time Grammy winners and cutting-edge purveyors
of innovative and eclectic jazz for more than
25 years, and Mike
Stern, the four-time Grammy nominee who has
established himself as the premier jazz and jazz-fusion
guitarist of his generation, are headed for the
studio in January 2008 for a joint project, that
could be a milestone in contemporary jazz. The
studio project was inspired by Yellowjackets'
appearance as guest musicians during Stern's performance
at the Montreal Jazz Festival in the summer of
2007, and will showcase all five musicians' individual
and collective virtuosity as instrumentalists
and songwriters. Stern and the Yellowjackets are
both still riding on the wave of critical and
commercial success generated by their most recent
Heads Up releases. JazzTimes said Stern's Who
Let the Cats Out is "his most eclectic effort
yet-and just may be his best as well." In
response to t he Jackets' 25 - an aptly titled
celebration of their 25th anniversary as a recording
and touring unit - Downbeat called the quartet
"one of the few bands from the early '80s
to retain its punch today."- by Akbar
Nour
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