Club Nocturne

Amazon.com
On their 14th album, Club Nocturne, The Yellowjackets explore nearly every facet of their personality with their most vocal-oriented offering to date. Heavyweight vocalists Kurt Elling, Brenda Russell, and Jonathan Butler guest on several tracks, and the band's ease at crafting suitable sonic auras to support the diverse set of guests is wonderful. With Elling, they concoct a bluesy drag on "Up from New Orleans" as he slurs the lyrics in a faux southern drawl. They shift gears dramatically on the beautifully impressionistic "All Is Quiet," which also features wonderful playing by saxophonist Bob Mintzer and pianist Russell Ferrante. On the wistful "Even the Pain," Butler croons a soulful ballad against a South African-inspired anthem. The ever-poised Brenda Russell graces the melancholy "Love and Paris Rain" with bewitching conviction. But it's in the instrumentals where The Yellowjackets have their finest moments. From the funky "The Evening News," which features drummer Will Kennedy and bassist Jimmy Haslip locking an air-tight groove in classic Mike Clark/Paul Jackson fashion, to the pastoral "Automat," which has Mintzer and Ferrante engaging in some Weather Report inspired telepathy, these are melodically rich compositions with burnished execution. --John Murph

From Jazziz
Nowadays, pop-jazz tends to travel only the smoothest roads, removing any cobblestones that might trip an unsuspecting listener. Subversion is hard to find. But on their 14th album, the Yellowjackets continue to show why a cobbled street is often more interesting than a smoothly paved one. Instead of lulling listeners with somnolent grooves or pounding them with over-endowed chops, the Jackets jump-start their formulas with maverick creativity.

Driven by Will Kennedy's subtle drums and Jimmy Haslip's masterful distillation of the electric-bass tradition, each track has something strong to offer. The luscious harmonies of the synth-orchestral opening on "Twilight for Nancy" come courtesy of keyboardist Russell Ferrante, who also contributes a beautifully phrased acoustic-piano solo to the tune. The long, exotic head of "Automat" weaves two melodies together over floating drums to achieve a dreamy, kaleidoscopic view. Bob Mintzer's robust tenor work makes a powerful statement on the swinging "The Evening News," whose punchy rhythms would make for a great big-band chart. And Ferrante's "The Village Church" avoids clich_d gospel trappings by mixing dark colors with sly rhythmic displacements.

The album is further distinguished by resplendent vocal turns on several tracks by Jonathan Butler, Brenda Russell, and Kurt Elling. As the latter sings on the striking closer, "All Is Quiet," "Whispers open magical doors if you let them." Listen beneath the surface, and let the Yellowjackets lead the way.

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