The pith members of the original line-up of Vital Information — Steve Smith (drums), Tim Landers (bass) too Dave Wilczewski (sax) — met inward 1971 during their high schoolhouse years piece playing together inward the Bridgewater State College Big Band, a Boston expanse college band that too 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 too Wilczewski amongst Freddie Hubbard. They met inward 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 3 principlal band members wrote many compositions, played a give away of gigs too developed the audio too concept that became the commencement edition of Vital Information.
After Smith was inward Journey for a few years he was able to secure a Columbia tape bargain for his commencement solo album. The grouping recorded Vital Information (1983), which featured Landers, Wilczewski too Smith along amongst guitarists Dean Brown too Mike Stern. The album was recorded inward Warren, Rhode Island inward Jan 1983 too 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 too Jaco Pastorius. At the halt of the tour the grouping returned to RI too recorded Orion (1984), their minute album.
After leaving Journey inward 1985 Steve Smith continued on equally the bandleader of Vital Information amongst Tim Landers too Dave Wilczewski eventually leaving the grouping to pursue their ain careers. Landers is a successful studio participant inward Los Angeles too Wilczewski moved to Stockholm, Sweden, where he was a cardinal thespian inward the European music scene until his untimely decease on August 22, 2009.
Tom Coster (keyboards), formerly of Santana, joined Vital Information inward 1986 too commencement appeared on Global Beat (1987), which integrated paw percussion too steel drums into the direction of the music. Kai Eckhardt (bass), afterward amongst John McLaughlin, too Torsten de Winkel (guitar), afterward amongst the Pat Metheny Group, joined Vital Information inward 1986 too 1987 for tours inward the U.S. of America too Europe too appeared on too composed for the group's adjacent album, Fiafiaga (1988), which by too large continued amongst the Global Beat direction merely added computer-based too funkier sounds to the stylistic mix.
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 of late been re-mastered too rereleased. Jeff Andrews (bass) joined the band inward the early on 1990s recording Easier Done Than Said (1992) too 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 inward 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) too Browne (bass) they recorded Live Around the World (2000), Show ‘Em Where You Live (2001) too Live from Mars (2002). With the recording Come on inward (2004) Smith started introducing Indian rhythms into the music. On Vitalization (2007) Vinny Valentino joined Vital Information on guitar too Smith featured himself on his of late 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 liberate too is the commencement of a give away of releases to commemorate their 30th Anniversary.
Steve Smith has been of late been touring amongst a version of the band called “Vital Information NYC Edition” that features Valentino too Browne along amongst Mark Soskin on keyboards too Andy Fusco on alto sax. Fusco too Soskin are 2 musicians from Smith’s other bands Buddy’s Buddies too Jazz Legacy. With VI NYC Edition the band plays the classic Vital Information songs along amongst the music of Jazz Legacy too Buddy’s Buddies. In Nov 2012 VI NYC Edition recorded a move album too novel studio album. The Vital Information NYC Edition recordings volition move released inward 2013 equally business office 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 upwards higlights his nifty playing. And non to move outdone,Frank Gambale on Over too Out, automobile speakers are white hot, non to metion the amp!!! These guys are the greatest players from mars ever!! If yous are a fusion,funk,and a footling 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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