The grouping arose out of spontaneous sessions at Seventh Avenue South, a jazz fellowship inwards New York City owned past times saxophonist Michael Brecker in addition to trumpeter blood brother Randy Brecker. The outset 3 albums were released nether the hollo Steps, afterwards changed to Steps Ahead, on Nippon Columbia inwards Japan, starting alongside the debut endure album Smokin' inwards the Pit (1979), followed past times Step By Step (1979) in addition to Paradox (1981).
The shifting roster has included saxophonists Bob Berg, Bendik Hofseth, Bill Evans, Ernie Watts, in addition to Donny McCaslin; pianists Eliane Elias in addition to Rachel Z; guitarists Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, in addition to Steve Khan; bassists Darryl Jones, Tony Levin, Victor Bailey, in addition to Marc Johnson; in addition to drummers Peter Erskine, Steve Smith, in addition to Dennis Chambers.
Steps Ahead was active during the 1970s in addition to '80s, intermittently during the 1990s, reunited for concerts inwards the mid-2000s, in addition to released a novel album inwards 2016.
In 1989, Steps Ahead consisted of Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp, synclavier in addition to acoustic piano, the immature saxophonist Bendik doubling on keyboards, guitarist Steve Kahn, Tony Levin on electrical bass in addition to Chapman stick, in addition to drummer Steve Smith. The powerful band did non accept a keen bargain of subtlety past times this era, but it helped to operate on the much-maligned genre of fusion alive, mixing the audio of stone alongside jazz improvising. The eleven selections on this obscure endeavour were all written or co-composed past times Mainieri in addition to Bendik in addition to brand upward inwards intensity for their lack of dynamics. Rock listeners volition most savour this decent, if non likewise substantial release.
I accept exactly most all the albums past times steps/ahead in addition to I intend I would likely hand them all v stars although unopen to I haven't listened to a keen bargain yet. One vocal I particularly liked was lust for life. If yous cheque the NYC spider web site yous detect a review of this album that indicates that the saxophonist composed 4 songs on this album including that i I particularly liked. Besides that, I similar his playing. The guy has earned my respect. That review I mentioned indicated that mainieri felt the compositions were an fifty-fifty greater virtue than the instrumental prowess of the steps/ahead group. I would say at the really least, listeners should hand due credit for composing excellence. I consider mainieri a outset tier jazz composer, in addition to bendik has shown he tin compose at that marking every bit well.
There appears to endure an overwhelming "old camp" fan base of operations of Steps, regarding other reviewer's opinions. While having enjoyed several of the older recordings in addition to dissimilar lineups of players, this recording (NYC)was my outset introduction to the group, in addition to understandably my favorite. I cannot understate the deep, soulful emotion existence poured out on several of these tracks. I must address the reference to Michael Brecker's absense every bit noted past times unopen to other reviewer. Yes, he is to endure revered, in addition to I observe him. However, In spirit of a truthful measuring forward, this album's sax player, Bendik, is unbelievable. I cannot sit down dorsum in addition to sentry him endure discredited for non existence the previous player. Get real! I cannot think a histrion who tin conjure such emotion acre coaxing the strange, twisted sounds he produces. Some of yous may empathize that a slice of music tin touching on yous then deeply every bit to convey tears to your eyes. This album truely touches my soul. Not to mention, I am a bassist / Chapman Stick player, inspired past times the legendary Tony Levin, who is non unremarkably seen inwards this genre. His playing naturally is a departure from the standard/bop audio inwards unopen to ways, but he also does perform unopen to selections on upright, in addition to does them a keen justice. If yous appreciate non exactly what was done on previous recordings, but welcome an embracing of novel techniques / technology, this album is a perfect, natural transition to the future. Mike Manieri did a fine chore of tipping his chapeau to his master copy audio in addition to fan base, acre enthusiastically embracing novel directions. In the truthful spirit of Steps Ahead, yous must opened upward your hear in addition to hand this a try. If yous exactly savour the fulfilment of honest, inventive, fresh, inspired music, yous postulate this recording.
World shape musicians playing keen music!
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Track listing:
01 Well, In That Case 5:08
02 Lust For Life 4:16
03 Senegal Calling 4:58
04 Red Neon, Go Or Give 2:48
05 Charanga 5:02
06 Get It 3:15
07 N.Y.C. 5:08
08 Stick Jam 4:54
09 Absolutely Maybe 3:51
10 Festival 5:08
eleven Paradiso 3:01
Personnel:
Mike Mainieri - Synthesizer [Midi Vibraharp, Synclavier], Piano [Acoustic], Percussion
Steve Kahn* - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (tracks: two to 9, 11)
Tony Levin - Electric Bass, Chapman Stick
Steve Smith - Drums (5)
Bendik* - Saxophone, Keyboards
Bruce Martin - Keyboards [Additional], Programmed By [Synclavier], Percussion
Magatte Fall - Percussion [M'beung-m'beung - Rythmic Drum], Talking Drum [Tama]
Abdoulaye Diop - Percussion [Lamb - Bass Drum]
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