Steps Ahead is the second studio album by the American jazz group Steps Ahead, released on Elektra/Musician in 1983.Jazzlists: Elektra Musician LP discography, accessed March 20, 2018Both Sides Now: Elektra/Asylum Album Discography, Part 8: Consolidated 60000 Series (1982- ), accessed March 20, 2018 The group had previously released three albums under the name Steps on Nippon Columbia (Smokin' in the Pit (1981), Step by Step (1981) and Paradox (1982)), with Don Grolnick on piano and Steve Gadd on drums on "Smokin' in the Pit" and "Step by Step".
Reception Allmusic awarded the album with 4.5 stars and its review by Scott Yanow states: "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".Yanow, S.[ Allmusic Review: Steps Ahead] accessed 07 June 2010
Track listing "Pools" (Don Grolnick) – 11:16 "Islands" (Mike Mainieri) – 6:25 "Loxodrome" (Eddie Gómez) – 5:26 "Both Sides of the Coin" (Brecker, Mainieri) – 6:10 "Skyward Bound" (Mainieri) – 4:04 "Northern Cross" (Peter Erskine) – 5:49 "Trio (An Improvisation)" (Brecker, Gómez, Mainieri) – 7:32
Personnel
Steps Ahead Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone Mike Mainieri – vibraphone, synthesizer vibes, marimba Eliane Elias – acoustic piano Eddie Gómez – bass Peter Erskine – drums
Production Christine Martin – executive producer, management Steps Ahead – producers James Farber – recording, mixing Dave Greenberg – assistant engineer Garry Rindfuss – assistant engineer Bill Kipper – mastering at Masterdisk (New York, NY) Andrew V. Strevovich – cover painting Norm Ung – art direction Denise Minobe – design Carol Friedman – back cover photography
References