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About Steps Ahead
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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by John Kelman
In its early incarnations, Steps Ahead was an ongoing concern for founder/vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. The original lineup, called simply Steps, featuring saxophonist Michael Brecker, pianist Don Grolnick, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Steve Gadd, had a regular New York club residence in the late '70s before recording its first three albums for a Japanese label. Personnel would gradually shift throughout the '80s, but in recent years it's become something of a revolving door, with the lineup for each tour often ...
read moreSteps Ahead: Steps: A Collection
by David Adler
At last, these two long-out-of-print albums are available in a two-disc package from Mike Mainieri’s NYC Records. Steps recorded them (and a third, Smokin’ in the Pit, also available from NYC) for a Japanese label before becoming Steps Ahead and landing a domestic contract. Step By Step and Paradox feature the same lineup, except that Peter Erskine replaces Steve Gadd on the latter. No disrespect to Gadd intended, but Paradox is the superior album. Recorded live at the now-defunct Seventh ...
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