Nobody does jazz-rock fusion better than this long-serving group and this new release is well up to the Yellowjackets' best standard. The familiar cast of Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Marcus Baylor and Bob Mintzer are joined by guest star Mike Ste
rn, whose powerful guitar work stirs things up to good effect. Stern and Mintzer, on assorted saxophones, strike sparks off each other on the programme of originals and their work on the likes of Double Nickel, Yahoo and Claire's Closet has moments of real fire. Lifecycle demonstrates the Yellowjackets still have plenty left to say. AV
Various artists: Miles from India (Times Square) (Double CD) £16.99This intriguing new release finds a fusion between the music of Miles Davis and Indian influences to produce performances that are dazzlingly inventive. A stellar cast of Davis alumni, including pianist Chick Corea, guitarist John McLaughlin and saxophonist Dave Liebman, are on hand for performances of All Blues, So What and Miles Runs the Voodoo Down. The material is familiar, but these versions are astonishingly fresh. That's because the cast of Indian musicians who are on hand take the music in altogether new directions. AV
Tchaikovsky: Suites Nos. 3 & 4 Melodiya (MEL CD 10 00104) £11.99Never has so much love and affection been lavished on Tchaikovsky's two charming Suites, Evgeni Svetlanov's conducting pointing to the music's lyricism and ballet influences, his tempos unhurried as he savours every delight. Among the USSR Symphony's many fine recordings, this is particularly outstanding, the many solos, particularly from the orchestra's leader, being of magical quality. Russian recordings can be variable, but this one from 1985 is excellent in detail and impact. Don't miss it. DD
Graupner: Partitas (Naxos 8.570459) £5.99If Liepzig could have secured the transfer of Johann Graupner to head the city's music, we may never have heard of Johann Sebastian Bach. They failed and took Bach instead. This stunningly played disc from
the Japanese harpsichordist, Naoko Akutagawa, shows why they so wanted Graupner. Stylistically the music is Italian rather than German, the collection of dances under the title Partita being vivacious, tuneful and with the sparkle of fine champagne. The sound quality is so real you can almost touch it. DD
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