Mike Mainieri - Wanderlust (1981)

Import copy

I know of vibraphonist Mainieri as the founder of the fusion group Steps Ahead (one of my faves from the '80s), but I was completely unfamiliar with any of his work as a leader outside his contribution to the Casino Lights release. A few weeks ago, I heard the title track of this album and immediately ordered myself a copy. I was hoping it would sound like Steps Ahead and I wasn't disappointed.

Many of Mainieri's Steps Ahead colleagues are present on the album, including saxophonist Michael Brecker and drummer Peter Erskine. Plus it's always a pleasure to hear Marcus Miller on bass. Mainieri also plays marimba, most notably on the track L'Image; it's a nice change of timbre.

First CD releases inexplicably used the following cover art (maybe the cigarette on the original was too much for our delicate sensibilities?):

Original cover art was restored for my 2014 re-release, but they messed with the original track sequencing. Easily corrected, but still...

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "Mainieri's use of fusion palettes for his vibes and marimba excursions makes him an astute addition to the Warners roster."
• CashBox: "A giant step for vibraphonist Mainieri."
• Record World: "his wide range of sensibilities is detectable in every track."
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #32
• Record World Jazz: #39

Tracks: I like the title track the best, but also dig Crossed Wires, and Sara's Touch (which also appears on the aforementioned Casino Lights album). I don't like Bamboo as much as the Cash Box reviewer (maybe it's the flute solo), but don't skip any tracks.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but here's an obi for ya:

On the date of this re-release, May 19, 2014,
¥1,000 was the equivalent of $9.87.