Magnetic

Steps Ahead | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B000RMJ5A2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,518 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic Contemporay Jazz/Fusion., September 5, 2006

By 

NDBx "NDBx" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magnetic (Audio CD)

Don't let my comment of Contemporary Jazz throw you. This is not your standard pleasant "happy" music.

Here we have a collection of superlative musicians such as Michael Brecker, Mike Manieri, Hiram Bullock, Peter Erskine and others playing and improvising well over a diverse set of pieces.

These pieces vary from one of my favorite "Trains" which moves along with at the propulsion and yes, the combustion of a train. Michael Brecker takes a strong dynamic solo followed by a rip snortin' guitar solo by Hiram Bullock which builds in intensity, at the end of which Hiram creates the effect of a jet to close it out, which was actually quite clever. This piece is a highpoint.

"Berut" features Mike Manieri on a modified synth-vibe and Michael Brecker on Steinerphone EWI. Both solos are clever, dynamic and impressive. The unsung hero of this piece though is Peter Erskine's ingenious, clever, colorful and funky drumming on this piece. The piece while having a rather odd melody has you moving and tapping your feet.

"Cajun" is another pieces that combines a rather futuristic approach with a country melody. Very original.

"Something I Said" is a pretty ballad with Michael Brecker showing why he is so engaging on ballads. He takes his time and embellishes the melody.

"Magnetic Love" is a vehicle for Dianne Reeves and Michael Brecker. Contemporary and intense. Michael's solo show why so many contemporary artists call upon him to appear on recordings.

I have this recording on vinyl but wish that someone somewhere would have the good sense to re-release this recording on CD. It's decidedly better and more rhythmic than "Modern Times" I would run to the store at the risk of a charlie horse and a stitch in my ribs to get this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fearless Upbeat Fusion, October 16, 2007

By 

J. Anderson (CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magnetic (24bt) (Audio CD)

This is a long-lost favorite rediscovered after a couple of decades, and found to be even better than remembered, to huge surprise. Just wow -- such rare optimistic fearless jazz, Brecker on the EWI, just gives you goosebumps. Brecker, Maineri, Erskine, Victor Bailey on bass, and assorted monster players are united in a fleeting musical era -- electric jazz fusion like this only existed for a short while, sadly. To my way of thinking, this is truly Fusion jazz (as opposed to bland "Smooth Jazz"), some of it hard jazz, some slightly formulaic at first, but not for long. It's hard-driving way-electric JAZZ and definitely colors outside the lines. Yes, that's possible to do with jazz. Steps Ahead did it a lot. Unique sound, positive sound. Inspiring and uplifting. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best examples of electronic jazz you will find, December 15, 2006

By 

J. Garniss (Boston MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magnetic (Audio CD)

From the first time I heard this album I was amazed. It is a complete departure from the original Steps albums, which were purely acoustic. You knew they were taking the electronic route after the album previous to this, but this was vastly improved.

Michael Brecker proves once again why he was and still is one of the most in demand musicians in the world. His playing on the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) actually makes the instrument sound musical, a difficult feat at best.

All of the other musicians on this record also rise to the challenge of making electronic jazz truly intense.

I had this record on vinyl, then on CD, then someone took it, and I looked for another copy for years when I finally got one again.

This is NOT smooth jazz. Imagine Spyro Gyra and the Yellowjackets on steroids and uppers, while still maintaing their cool. You'll never hear this stuff on the smooth jazz station; it's FAR too hip!