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Jazz Articles about Steps Ahead

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Play This!

Steps Ahead: Trains

Read "Steps Ahead: Trains" reviewed by Scott Lichtman


"Trains" by Steps Ahead, represents an apex of a certain era of jazz-rock fusion. The band was a supergroup, featuring Michael Brecker on saxophone, Mike Mainieri on vibraphone and rotating top names filling out guitar, drums, bass and keys. By the mid-'80s, the band had evolved from an acoustic sound to one based more on synthesized timbres, power electric guitar and sharp snare/bass drum rhythms. With the release of Magnetic in 1986, they hit gold with “Trains," a head-bobber of ...

327
Album Review

Steps Ahead: Holding Together

Read "Holding Together" reviewed 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 ...

270
Album Review

Steps Ahead: Steps: A Collection

Read "Steps: A Collection" reviewed 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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