Yellowjackets Collection CD

The Yellowjackets were a fixture on the GRP label for a decade, and this CD is a sampling of some of their work from the period. During that era, in addition to keyboardist Russell Ferrante, electric bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy, the Yellowjackets were joined by the reeds of Bob Mintzer (who is heard here playing tenor, bass clarinet, soprano and the EWI). The 11 selections on the CD include a variety of pieces including vocal features for guests Take 6 ("Revelation") and Michael Franks ("The Dream"), "Wildlife," "The Spin," "Jacket Town" and a tribute to Miles Davis, "Dewey." All but one of the selections has guests (including Paulinho Da Costa, Alex Acuna or Nana Vasconcelos on percussion and Steve Croes on synclavier in addition to the singers) and in general these are some of the more commercial selections recorded by the Yellowjackets during the generally stimulating period. The numbers are taken from Live Wires, Politics, Like a River, Run for Your Love and Shades. ~ Scott Yanow

Engineers: Mick Guzauski, David Hentschel, James Farber, Eric Zobler.

Lyricist: Michael Franks.

Personnel: Naná Vasconcelos (vocals, percussion); Jimmy Haslip, Michael Franks, Take 6, Bill Gable (vocals); Bob Mintzer (bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Russell Ferrante (keyboards); Steve Croes (Synclavier); Judd Miller (EWI); Ricky Lawson, William Kennedy (drums); Alex Acuña, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Marilyn Scott, Brenda Russell (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David Hentschel; Erik Zobler; James Farber; Mick Guzauski.

Recording information: Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; O'Henry Sound; Roxy, Los Angeles, CA; Schnee Studio, North Hollywood, CA.

Editors: Joseph Doughney; Bill Jackson.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Steve Croes; Judd Miller; Alex Acuña; Marilyn Scott; Michael Franks; Naná Vasconcelos; Paulinho Da Costa; Take 6; Brenda Russell.

Yellowjackets: Bob Mintzer (soprano & tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, EWI); Russell Ferrante (keyboards); Jimmy Haslip (bass, vocals); William Kennedy (drums).

Additional personnel: Bill Gable, Michael Franks, Take 6 (vocals); Steve Croes (synclavier); Ricky Lawson (drums); Nana Vasconcelos (percussion, vocals); Paulinho Da Costa, Alex Acuna (percussion); Judd Miller (programming); Brenda Russell, Marilyn Scott (background vocals).