Rachel z

This CD from Steps Ahead is probably most notable for introducing the fine keyboardist Rachel Z. Also in the group at the time were leader Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp and synclavier, saxophonist Bendik, bassist Jeff Andrews and drummer Steve Smith. Put out by Mainieri's NYC label, this mostly high-powered performance consists of group originals, generally by Mainieri and Bendik.

This CD from Steps Ahead is probably most notable for introducing the fine keyboardist Rachel Z. Also in the group at the time were leader Mike Mainieri on MIDI vibraharp and synclavier, saxophonist Bendik, bassist Jeff Andrews and drummer Steve Smith. Put out by Mainieri's NYC label, this mostly high-powered performance consists of group originals, generally by Mainieri and Bendik.

For her debut recording as a leader, post-Straight Ahead violinist Regina Carter plays marvelously, improvises well, and has a tone that is typically soaring, clear, and at times mournful. Victor Bailey's production values and songs (he wrote three) have a profound effect on the result of this music, which mostly ranges from pop-funk to smooth instrumentals. Carter wrote or co-wrote six of the ten tracks, but this is not to say it's all samey and predictable. The highlight is the Mark Helias piece "Beau Regard" in a 6/8 rhythm, where trombonist Steve Turre and Carter play wonderfully rich unison lines while pianist Rachel Z embellishes with her own gossamer-like, forward-moving runs.

Steps Ahead, one of the most influential jazz groups since their first debut is an all-star jazz oriented R&B band that originally included such players as Mike Brecker, Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd in it's original line-up. Mainieri has revived the group several times since with such musicians as Warren Bernhardt, Eliane Elias, Rachel Z, Mike Stern, Tony Levin, Victor Bailey, Peter Erskine, Steve Smith and Bendik. Vibe features a new generation of young players whose performances, though grounded in the jazz tradition, bring their individual voices to the project. Vibe is about energy, reflection, and …chemistry! The vision on Vibe was to capture the feeling, spirit and "vibe" embodied in the historic recording of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue.

Seven years after his last solo project, Wayne Shorter returns with HIGH LIFE, which proceeds from the point where ATLANTIS, PHANTOM NAVIGATOR and JOY RIDER left off. With the assistance of master bassist-producer Marcus Miller and keyboardist Rachel Z., Shorter has fashioned a sumptuous series of harmonically detailed tone poems, anchored by the contemporary rhythm-n-ning of former Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun.HIGH LIFE won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.