The essence members of the original line-up of Vital Information — Steve Smith (drums), Tim Landers (bass) in addition to Dave Wilczewski (sax) — met inwards 1971 during their high schoolhouse years piece playing together inwards the Bridgewater State College Big Band, a Boston expanse college band that likewise featured outstanding high schoolhouse students, the band was nether the direction of Vincent Gannon. By 1977 Smith was touring amongst Jean-Luc Ponty, Landers amongst Al Di Meola in addition to Wilczewski amongst Freddie Hubbard. They met inwards Boston i time a twelvemonth for a “reunion” gig using diverse guitarists such equally Dean Brown, Daryl Stuermer or Barry Finnerty to consummate the band. From 1977–1982 the iii principlal band members wrote many compositions, played a pose out of gigs in addition to developed the audio in addition to concept that became the get-go edition of Vital Information.
After Smith was inwards Journey for a few years he was able to secure a Columbia tape bargain for his get-go solo album. The grouping recorded Vital Information (1983), which featured Landers, Wilczewski in addition to Smith along amongst guitarists Dean Brown in addition to Mike Stern. The album was recorded inwards Warren, Rhode Island inwards Jan 1983 in addition to released that summer. In September 1983 the band toured the USA amongst the Dutch guitarist Eef Albers replacing Mike Stern, who was on the route amongst both Miles Davis in addition to Jaco Pastorius. At the destination of the tour the grouping returned to RI in addition to recorded Orion (1984), their minute album.
After leaving Journey inwards 1985 Steve Smith continued on equally the bandleader of Vital Information amongst Tim Landers in addition to Dave Wilczewski eventually leaving the grouping to pursue their ain careers. Landers is a successful studio instrumentalist inwards Los Angeles in addition to Wilczewski moved to Stockholm, Sweden, where he was a cardinal thespian inwards the European music scene until his untimely decease on August 22, 2009.
Tom Coster (keyboards), formerly of Santana, joined Vital Information inwards 1986 in addition to get-go appeared on Global Beat (1987), which integrated mitt percussion in addition to steel drums into the direction of the music. Kai Eckhardt (bass), afterward amongst John McLaughlin, in addition to Torsten de Winkel (guitar), afterward amongst the Pat Metheny Group, joined Vital Information inwards 1986 in addition to 1987 for tours inwards the U.S. of America in addition to Europe in addition to appeared on in addition to composed for the group's adjacent album, Fiafiaga (1988), which to a greater extent than oftentimes than non continued amongst the Global Beat direction simply added computer-based in addition to funkier sounds to the stylistic mix.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 to a greater extent than straight-ahead jazz version of the group, amongst Larry Grenadier (acoustic bass), Larry Schneider (sax), Tom Coster (keys), Frank Gambale (guitar), Steve Smith (drums), recorded Vitalive! (1990). The album has latterly been re-mastered in addition to rereleased. Jeff Andrews (bass) joined the band inwards the early on 1990s recording Easier Done Than Said (1992) in addition to Ray of Hope (1996).
Vital Information re-invented themselves equally a to a greater extent than organic groove-oriented band amongst the direction of Where We Come from (1998). Baron Browne (bass) joined the band inwards 1998, which farther solidified their to a greater extent than funk-oriented approach. With the line-up of Smith (drums) Tom Coster (keys), Frank Gambale (guitar) in addition to Browne (bass) they recorded Live Around the World (2000), Show ‘Em Where You Live (2001) in addition to Live from Mars (2002). With the recording Come on inwards (2004) Smith started introducing Indian rhythms into the music. On Vitalization (2007) Vinny Valentino joined Vital Information on guitar in addition to Smith featured himself on his latterly developed konnakol chops along amongst integrating to a greater extent than Indian rhythms into the music.
Live! One Great Night is Vital Information’s latest loose in addition to is the get-go of a pose out of releases to commemorate their 30th Anniversary.
Steve Smith has been latterly been touring amongst a version of the band called “Vital Information NYC Edition” that features Valentino in addition to Browne along amongst Mark Soskin on keyboards in addition to Andy Fusco on alto sax. Fusco in addition to Soskin are 2 musicians from Smith’s other bands Buddy’s Buddies in addition to Jazz Legacy. With VI NYC Edition the band plays the classic Vital Information songs along amongst the music of Jazz Legacy in addition to Buddy’s Buddies. In Nov 2012 VI NYC Edition recorded a hold upwardly album in addition to novel studio album. The Vital Information NYC Edition recordings volition hold upwardly released inwards 2013 equally part of the group's 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Been next this grouping for years, Fantastic musicians all. Steve Smith what tin u say,not of this world.Listen to Barron Browm on 'Soul Principle" what a fantastic funky player. Tom Coster's melody Listen upwardly higlights his dandy playing. And non to hold upwardly outdone,Frank Gambale on Over in addition to Out, motorcar speakers are white hot, non to metion the amp!!! These guys are the greatest players from mars ever!! If y'all are a fusion,funk,and a picayune someone fan operate this cd now! No regrets!!
Recorded at Mars Music, Somerville, MA 2000-11-18
https://jazz-rock-fusion-guitar.blogspot.com/search?q=Vital+Information
Track listing:
1 Mr. T.C. 6:18
2 Swamp Stomp 7:31
3 Cranial Jam 8:40
4 Listen Up! 7:44
5 Drum Improv. 2:57
6 Happy House 7:46
7 Soul Principle 8:58
8 Over And Out 7:45
Personnel:
Bass – Baron Browne
Drums – Steve Smith
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Tom Coster
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