Steps Ahead (album)
Encyclopedia
One can argue that Steps Ahead is the debut album by the American jazz group Steps Ahead
, that was originally released on Elektra Records
in 1983. Actually, the group was called Steps before, and Steps Ahead replaced Don Grolnik with Eliane Elias on piano. Steps had already recorded three albums published by Nippon Columbia: Smokin' in the Pit, a live 2-LPs-set in 1981 (S/N YB-7010-11-ND), Step by Step, also in 1981 (S/N YF-7020-N), and Paradox in 1982 (S/N YF-7044-N).
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awards this album with 4.5 stars and states: "The music is essentially high-quality funky fusion, with Brecker typically blowing up a storm, Mainieri often playing the synthivibe, and Elias showing some early individuality."
Steps Ahead
Steps Ahead is a jazz fusion group and the brainchild of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. According to the liner notes of the group's 1983 debut album , 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...
, that was originally released on Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in 1983. Actually, the group was called Steps before, and Steps Ahead replaced Don Grolnik with Eliane Elias on piano. Steps had already recorded three albums published by Nippon Columbia: Smokin' in the Pit, a live 2-LPs-set in 1981 (S/N YB-7010-11-ND), Step by Step, also in 1981 (S/N YF-7020-N), and Paradox in 1982 (S/N YF-7044-N).
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awards this album with 4.5 stars and states: "The music is essentially high-quality funky fusion, with Brecker typically blowing up a storm, Mainieri often playing the synthivibe, and Elias showing some early individuality."
Track listing
- "Pools" (Don GrolnickDon GrolnickDon Grolnick was an American jazz and pop pianist and composer, most noteworthy for his work with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Billy Cobham, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Bob Mintzer, Dave Holland and Steely Dan...
) - 11:17 - "Islands" (Mike MainieriMike MainieriMichael T. Mainieri, Jr. is a vibraphonist best known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead....
) - 6:26 - "Loxodrome" (Eddie GomezEddie GomezEdgar "Eddie" Gómez is a Puerto Rican jazz double bassist born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, perhaps most notable for his work done with the Bill Evans trio from 1966 to 1977.-Biography:...
) - 5:28 - "Both Sides of the Coin" (Brecker, Mainieri) - 6:14
- "Skyward Bound" (Mainieri) - 4:05
- "Northern Cross" (Peter ErskinePeter ErskinePeter Erskine is an American jazz drummer and composer. He has enjoyed a long and successful career as a session drummer, recording and touring with many famous jazz and rock artists, including Steely Dan and Weather Report...
) - 5:53 - "Trio (An Improvisation)" (Brecker, Gomez, Mainieri) - 7:32
Personnel
- Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz...
- tenor saxophone - Mike MainieriMike MainieriMichael T. Mainieri, Jr. is a vibraphonist best known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead....
- vibraphone, synthesizer vibes, marimba, synthesizer, percussion - Eliane EliasEliane EliasEliane Elias is a Brazilian jazz pianist, arranger, vocalist and songwriter.-Biography:...
- piano - Eddie GomezEddie GomezEdgar "Eddie" Gómez is a Puerto Rican jazz double bassist born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, perhaps most notable for his work done with the Bill Evans trio from 1966 to 1977.-Biography:...
- bass - Peter ErskinePeter ErskinePeter Erskine is an American jazz drummer and composer. He has enjoyed a long and successful career as a session drummer, recording and touring with many famous jazz and rock artists, including Steely Dan and Weather Report...
- drums