Customer Reviews

Magnetic

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Steps Ahead started as Steps in 1979 at 17th Ave South nightclub in New York & after getting attention in Japan the group changed their name to Steps Ahead in 1982. "Magnetic" is one of their more original music sections from 1986. I see that other reviews compare their music to Yellow Jackets & Spyro Gyra as a starting point & rightly so. Steps Ahead is more original & experimental then most Jazz Rock groups of the 1980's. Their earlier work sounded more like The Modern Jazz Quartet with the use of solo vibes & marimba, but later CD's as with this one, there is a more even exchange from the musicians. There are musical styles from all over the world in tight fluid control. I was thinking of the drummer Peter Erskine a few days ago & was surprise to see him as the drummer in Steps Ahead. There is a whole list of famous jazz musicians in Steps Ahead: Michael Brecker on sax & Chuck Loeb on guitar, but I believe Mike Mainieri on vibes & keyboards in the focal point of the group. In the past there was Eliane Elias on piano & Eddie Gomez on bass. Read NDBx review for details on the songs.

I've been waiting for this recording to be available on cd (and under $30) for a long time, and I finally got it. I know this genre is "off the beaten path' for some Steps Ahead fans, but there was something about this recording (when it was released in 1986) that just connected with me.

Brecker has some of his traditional nasty phrases (Trains, Magnetic) along with the beginning stage of a including solo piece (Sentimental Mood, albeit on EWI) that he would include in many performances and subsequent recordings. As in all of his recordings, his solos just seem so effortless, a beautiful blend of supreme technical mastery and creative musical exploration. Mainieri and Victor Bailey are terrific, and you will never go wrong with Peter Erskine.

All in all, a great pick up for me. Glad it was available.

Fine to read these reviews here after the long road from 1986. I purchased the original CD back in 1986, i.e 24 years ago and listening to my copy of this CD today in 2010 it still makes me shiver. As another reviewer said, the goosebump experience is there, and with me still today, especially when listening to track 1-4. Is this music a typical sort of eighties sound?
I don't think so. For me personally, the tracks are timeless showing the essence of what is. I am wondering why, what is it that makes this music so extraordinary?

This album is a gem under millions of albums and I am trying to treasure it as long as possible.

Had this cd quite a time before my car's cd decided to play it (by some strange mechanisms, it does that with many of my cds).

First of all is a lively modern melodic jazz much in the category of Spyrogyra, though it has a lot of smooth jazz I would consider it a bit more lively and much more exploring. It probes into new territory with consistency and melody. Can be liseed in the morning or late at night. The main instrument is the saxophone.