Steps Ahead – Modern Times

Elektra/Musician was a short-lived jazz label in the early 1980s, led by Bruce Lundvall (previously at Columbia; he later revived Blue Note). I have about a third of their catalog.

Steps Ahead was an acoustic-electric jazz-fusion supergroup co-founded by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri and legendary tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker.

Another find from the “new used” bin at Dusty Groove. It was graded Very Good+, but is closer to Near Mint and is fairly priced at $5.99 (the median sales price on Discogs is $6.68).

This is one of their most controversial albums given its extensive use of synths. I am a big fan of Michael Brecker, and his tenor is a brilliant foil to the synth textures. The instrumental album is deceptively light jazz, but Brecker’s sax and Mainieri’s vibes soar throughout. It has a strong 80s pop vibe (the jazzier side of Prince or Phil Collins), but I dig that rather than find it dated. This isn’t challenging jazz (think the lighter side of Weather Report), nor is it smooth jazz. Enjoy it for what it is: tastefully arty musical wallpaper.

Streaming platforms feature the Warner Music/Rhino remastered master, derived from the 2005 24-bit digital archives (presented in CD quality).