Steps Ahead (1983)

Japanese import

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

liner notes

That's quite a pedigree: Brecker was a first-call session player and had formed the Brecker Brothers with his brother Randy, Peter Erskine had played with Stan Kenton and Weather Report, Gomez had spent over a decade with Bill Evans, and Mainieri was also a first-call session player who had previously gigged with Buddy Rich and Wes Montgomery. All this plus the guidance of Bruce Lundvall on the Elektra/Musician label.

I don't feel this fusion 'supergroup' really hit their stride until their next album, 1984's Modern Times. But that doesn't mean there's not some great stuff here. Mainieri started the collective and the group is at their best when the band is a vehicle for him and Brecker. All the performances are top notch - hall-of-famer Brecker always brought his A-game - the only problem with this album is a few instances of lackluster material.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "supple, coolly emotive debut of substance"
• DownBeat (★★★½): "an enjoyable LP"
• Musician: "not bad, just derivative"
• Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #24
• CashBox Jazz: #12

Tracks: The lead tracks on both sides of the LP are better than what follows. So my top picks are Pools, Islands, Both Sides Of The Coin, and Skyward Bound.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I was a big Steps Ahead fan in college (1984-88) and owned this album then, but it didn't get as much playing time back then as Modern Times. Still doesn't.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Magnetic (1986)
Modern Times (1984)