Steps Ahead Steppin' Out

Originally called Steps when it was formed in 1979 by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, this group at various times has included tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker; keyboardists Don Grolnick, Eliane Elias, and Rachel Z; guitarist Mike Stern; bassists Eddie Gomez and Darryl Jones; and drummers Peter Erskine and Steve Smith, among others. Its music combines advanced jazz, RB, rock, and fusion and is frequently exciting. Steps Ahead was most active during 1979-1986, although it still existed on a part-time basis in the mid-'90s.

In 1989, Steps Ahead consisted of Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp, synclavier and acoustic piano, the young saxophonist Bendik doubling on keyboards, guitarist Steve Kahn, Tony Levin on electric bass and Chapman stick, and drummer Steve Smith. The powerful band did not have a great deal of subtlety by this era, but it helped to keep the much-maligned genre of fusion alive, mixing the sound of rock with jazz improvising.

In 1989, Steps Ahead consisted of Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp, synclavier and acoustic piano, the young saxophonist Bendik doubling on keyboards, guitarist Steve Kahn, Tony Levin on electric bass and Chapman stick, and drummer Steve Smith. The powerful band did not have a great deal of subtlety by this era, but it helped to keep the much-maligned genre of fusion alive, mixing the sound of rock with jazz improvising.

The Braxton Brothers' debut album, Steppin' Out, tends to be a little bit too slick to actually qualify as improvisatory jazz, but the duo is a fine smooth jazz outift, working polished grooves that fuse light funk and soul with jazzy chords and pop melodies. The duo shows enough instrumental potential to suggest that they could craft a more adventurous album if they were willing to take the risk, but Steppin' Out is a pleasant listen in its own right.

The last Steps Ahead recording to feature Michael Brecker, this album finds the band exploring the use of electronic instruments and synthesis.It is a complete departure from the original Steps albums, which were purely acoustic.

By 1984, Steps Ahead's personnel had stabilized with original keyboardist Warren Bernhardt rejoining the group and teaming up with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, drummer Peter Erskine, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri; guitarist Chuck Loeb guests on one selection, as does Tony Levin, who is heard on the Chapman stick. This outing is very electronic and does not quite reach the heights of Steps Ahead's earlier Elektra album, but it certainly has plenty of spirit and power.

The last Steps Ahead recording to feature Michael Brecker, this album finds the band exploring the use of electronic instruments and synthesis.It is a complete departure from the original Steps albums, which were purely acoustic.

Steps Ahead (originally known as Steps) is a jazz fusion group. According to the liner notes of the group's debut album, "Steps began as a part-time venture in 1979 at Seventh Avenue South, a New York City nightclub." A second studio recording was made on 17 December 1979, called Step by Step. Smokin' in the Pit was released in 1980 and awarded a gold record. The studio album Step by Step was released shortly after, followed in the summer of 1980 by another live recording called Paradox.

This album is the studio session and consists of the first Steps lineup with Mainieri, tenor star Michael Brecker, the pianist and composer Don Grolnick, and the unbeatable rhythm team of Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd. Although this session doesn't contain as much unbridled energy as the same group's concert performance SMOKIN' IN THE PIT, recorded on the same Japan trip, it is a flawless set that show's why they are legends.