Altered State

Altered State, released on March 22, 2005, represents the 16th studio album (and 18th overall) by the acclaimed jazz fusion quartet Yellowjackets. Marking their third release for the Heads Up International label, the album showcases the band's continued evolution toward a highly integrated, acoustic-leaning fusion sound that blends the complexity of post-bop with the accessible grooves of contemporary jazz. The album features striking cover artwork painted by the legendary pop art painter Peter Max, adding a vibrant visual identity to the release.

The production team was led by executive producer Dave Love and the Yellowjackets themselves as producers. The recording was engineered by the renowned Bill Schnee, with Ryan Petry assisting, and was mixed and mastered by Rich Breen at Dogmatic Studios in Burbank, California. This technical lineup ensured a pristine, high-fidelity sonic presentation with exceptional dynamic range and warmth. Musically, the 11 tracks, including standouts like 'Suite 15' and 'Mother Earth', highlight the band's signature odd-meter compositions, lyrical saxophone leads, and sophisticated keyboard arrangements, cementing the album's place as a key 2000s entry in their extensive discography.