Steps Ahead - Steps Ahead
Extractor: EAC 0.99 prebeta 3
Read Mode: Secure with NO C2, accurate stream, disable cache.
Codec: Flac 1.2.1; Level 6
File .Flac Single Track
Source: Original CD
Original Release Date: July 1983
Label: Elektra
Artwork: "cover included"
Genre - Styles: Jazz/Fusion/Post-Bop,
Track Listings
1. Pools
2. Islands
3. Loxodrome
4. Both Sides of the Coin
5. Skyward Bound
6. Northern Cross
7. Trio (An Improvisation)
Performers
Mike Mainieri, (vibraphons)
Michael Brecker,(tenor sax)
Eliane Elias, (piano)
Eddie Gomez, (acoustic bass)
Peter Erskine, (drums)
Link Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfNURSHTQU4
Bio
Steps Ahead (originally known as Steps) is a jazz fusion group and the brainchild of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. According to the liner notes of the group's 1983 debut album (for worldwide release), entitled Steps Ahead, "Steps began as a part-time venture in 1979 at Seventh Avenue South, a New York City nightclub." The group began releasing recordings in Japan as far back as 1980.
The line-up for the Steps Ahead album consisted of Mainieri, the late Michael Brecker (tenor sax), Eliane Elias (piano), Peter Erskine (drums), and Eddie Gomez (bass).
The group's distinguished alumni also include Dennis Chambers, Steve Gadd, Warren Bernhardt, Rachel Z, Chuck Loeb, Victor Bailey, Tony Levin, Darryl Jones, Mike Stern, Richard Bona, and many others.
Brecker and Mainieri are featured on the Dire Straits album Brothers in Arms. For rock listeners, the albums Steps Ahead and Modern Times (1984, with Bernhardt replacing Elias in the main line-up, and other guest musicians appearing in limited roles) are a great bridge into a kind of jazz that is energetic and powerful. Reflecting the cooperative, ensemble nature of the band, the Modern Times album included compositions by Mainieri, Brecker, Erskine, and Bernhardt.
According to the website NYC Records, which include's Mainieri's biographical sketch and touring schedule with Steps Ahead, the 2007 instantiation of Steps Ahead includes: Mainieri (vibes), Bill Evans (sax; not to be confused with the late jazz pianist also named Bill Evans), Bryan Baker (guitar), Anthony Jackson (bass), and Steve Smith (drums), a former member of the rock group Journey. On some stops of the tour, Etienne Mbappe is listed as filling in for Jackson.
review
Mike Brecker, Elaine Elias, Peter Erskine, Eddie Gomez, and Mike Manieri all star on this first "Steps Ahead" album. They were forced to change their name from Steps to avoid a lawsuit from a similarly named company. Anyway, the music is absolutely fantastic, all players really stretch and obviously enjoy themselves. Along with Smokin' in the Pit, this would be my top pick for this group, counting only the Brecker including releases. Highly recommended.
This group was the follow-up to Steps, founded by Mike Mainieri. The group consists of the following members: Mike Mainieri, Michael Brecker, Eliane Elias, Eddie Gomez and the wonderful Peter Erskine on drums. Except for the last cut all songs are well-crafted, written by different members of the group, with the exception of the lovely "Pools", written by the late Don Grolnick. Best cut in my opninion is "Islands", with lovely solos by Mike Mainieri and Eliane Elias and the usual perfect flowing drumming of Peter Erskine. Nice bonus is the pristine recording quality. Highly recommended.