Live in Tokyo 1986 [Live]

Steps Ahead | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 1995)
• Original Release Date: January 18, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: NYC (New York City)
• ASIN: B000006MCH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,988 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #74 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1985 at the "Bottom Line", November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Live in Tokyo 1986 (Audio CD)

The fact that this cd was produced in 1994 as the result of "Steps Ahead" fans wanting to hear recordings from their concert tour in 1985, expresses just how special the performances of this particular group really were. I was fortunate to have caught the group at the "Bottom Line" in NYC. Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Daryl Jones, Mike Stern and Steve Smith were really cookin'!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those of you who know and love this band.........., September 14, 1999

By 

Greg Watkins (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live in Tokyo 1986 (Audio CD)

My favorite album by these guys was Magnetic, a highly rocking album , by jazz standards. The only thing missing on the studio album was guitar, so to speak. Not a problem, add Mike Stern. This disc, answers THAT musical question in SPADES. This is one moving album, both tastefully and tempo-wise. You can't get "Magnetic" anymore, so get this. Email me if you hate it, I'll buy it from you. Guaranteed. Greg Watkins [e-mail]

5.0 out of 5 stars fusion par excellence, October 4, 2011

By 

Lance B. Sjogren (San Pedro, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live in Tokyo 1986 (Audio CD)

After not having listened to jazz much since the early 80s, I have gotten back into it and have been building up a cd collection.

I had heard Michael Brecker before but didn't realize back then just how great a musician he was and what a major force in jazz.

So one thing I have been doing up is getting Michael Brecker's albums, which range from good to astounding. in general I like the Milestone ones the best-they are more melodic than some of his more recent recordings)

So once I had most of his recordings, what next? Well, what else does he play on? Oh, here is this group Steps Ahead he played with in the 80s.

I ordered a few Steps Ahead recordings and this is the first one I got. I listened to the first song the other day and thought, well maybe this is a clunker. Hardly. It turns out I didn't care a whole lot for that song but everything else on this album I love.

And Mike Mainieri is a fine musician. After hearing this I looked him up on wiki and it appears his main muscial legacy is what he did with Steps Ahead. Well, judging from what I've heard so far, not a bad legacy. All of the musicians on this album I like.

As someone pointed out, In a Sentimental Mood is excellent. It is a fusion version of a jazz standard but it not a raspy electric version but rather a very soulful rendition that is respectful of the beauty of the piece.

I now wonder if these guys did more jazz standards on other albums, that would be great. I've got a couple coming in the mail soon so I will know shortly.

Most of the songs are composed by Brecker or Mainieri and they are excellent.

One superficial point but worth mentioning just for comic relief: Who came up with the cover art that highlights something that looks like a tape dispenser! egad!