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Steps Ahead: Trains

By Scott Lichtman
May 17, 2024
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"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 a track. On their tour supporting the album, this reviewer recalls audiences standing up and applauding when the piece began. Listen for Brecker's use of the Electronic Wind Instrument and the distortion-driven guitar solo by Mike Stern in this live version. Magnetic would be Steps Ahead's last major label album, but "Trains" would remain in the memory of those who heard it for decades.

Contact Scott Lichtman on All About Jazz.
Jazz/fusion keyboardist & autograph collector in Stamford CT.

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