Steps Ahead

Steps Ahead - Steps Ahead: - 1983 - Elektra Musician


The debut domestic recording by Steps Ahead (following three sets only released in Japan), features the 1982 version of the group: vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, pianist Eliane Elias (a young unknown at the time), bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Peter Erskine. 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. Best known among the seven originals are Don Grolnick's "Pools" and Mainieri's "Islands." The inventive but pretty accessible set concludes with "Trio," a fairly free improvisation featuring Brecker, Gomez and Mainieri. Well worth searching for. © Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

TRACKS

Pools
Islands
Loxodrome
Both Sides of the Coin
Skyward Bound
Northern Cross
Trio (An Improvisation)

MUSICIANS

Michael Brecker (tenor sax);
Eliane Elias (piano);
Peter Erskine (drums);
Eddie Gomez (bass);
Mike Mainieri (vibes, marimba)