Steps - Step By Step (1981)

The '70s proved to be a challenging time for jazz in general. As the last strains of progressive rock gave way to the decade end's disco boon, jazz found itself in an uncertain position. Fusion had seemed to play itself out and acoustic music was becoming as rare as those proverbial "hen’s teeth". As the '80s approached, Wynton Marsalis would emerge as a voice in support of refurbishing the jazz tradition. Also, a part of this milieu, the group Steps (later to be dubbed Steps Ahead) would turn their regular jam sessions at Michael Brecker's NYC jazz club, Seventh Avenue South, into a forum for presenting contemporary jazz in a well-versed and sagacious manner. It would be a few years before American audiences would catch wind of Steps and its musical modus operandi due to the fact that their early work was released only in Japan on Nippon Columbia. The brainchild of vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, the initial incarnation of the band included Brecker, the late pianist Don Grolnick, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Steve Gadd. This album while short on duration it more than makes up for things by presenting a heady mix of straight ahead and fusion tendencies, particularly notable is Mainieri’s "Bullet Train." ~ Extract by C Andrew Hovan, AAJ. 

Better Days, YF-7020-N, 1981
Better Days, 28CY-2867, 1988
Recorded 8th & 10th December, 1980 at Nippon Columbia Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Mike Mainieri - Vibraphone
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone
Don Grolnick - Piano
Eddie Gomez - Bass
Steve Gadd - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Uncle Bob {Don Grolnick} (11:00)
2. Kyoto {Mike Mainieri} (6:57)
3. Belle {Mike Mainieri} (7:49)
4. Bullet Train {Mike Mainieri} (5:31)
5. Six Persimmons {Don Grolnick} (6:09) 

Total Time: 37:29

Credits:
Producer - Mike Mainieri
Executive-Producer - Christine Martin
Recording & Mixing - Neil Dorfsman
Engineer [Assistant] - Tsukasa Aoyama
Photography [Front & Inner] - Susan Aimee Weinik
Photography [Back] - Akira Aimi
Liner Notes - Hisashi Ikegami

Mark Murphy - Sings (1975) [vinyl>flac]

This album highlights one of singer Mark Murphy's best all-round sessions. Most memorable are his renditions of Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" (here renamed "On The Red Clay"), "Body And Soul" and "Canteloupe Island." Joined by a fine rhythm section led by keyboardist Don Grolnick along with occasional contributions from altoist David Sanborn, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter Randy Brecker, Murphy is heard throughout in prime form, constantly stretching himself. ~ Extract by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5078, 1975

Recorded 17^th-18^th June, 1975 At Basement Recording Studio, New York, NY

Musicians:

Mark Murphy - Vocals

Randy Brecker - Trumpet

Dave Sanborn - Alto Saxophone

Mike Brecker - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick - Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Organ, Piano

Joe Puma - Guitar

Harvie Swartz - Bass

Jimmy Madison - Drums

Sue Evans - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. On The Red Clay {Freddie Hubbard, Mark Murphy} (4:37)

A2. Naima {John Coltrane} (4:550)

A3. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (5:17)

A4. Young And Foolish {Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt} (2:52)

B1. Empty Faces {Lani Hall, Milton Nascimento} (5:16)

B2. Maiden Voyage {Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock} (5:23)

B3. How Are You Dreaming {Bob Crewe, Alan Shatkin} (4:32)

B4. Canteloupe Island {Herbie Hancock, Mark Murphy} (5:33)

Credits:

Producer - Helen Keane

Arranger, Co-Producer - Dave Matthews

Recording & Remixing Engineer - Wieslaw Woszczyk

Art Direction, Cover Illustration - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - Michael Bourne

Art Farmer with Joe Henderson - Yama (1979) [vinyl>flac, 24-bit/48khz]

Many critics have looked upon the majority of CTI recordings as a ploy to commercialise jazz, Scott Yanow being no exception. However, when approached again with newer ears and less prejudice, Creed Taylor has certainly left a legacy of some very fine albums. This album in particular finds Art Farmer playing beautifully alongside Joe Henderson’s solid tenor; producing some very powerful Jazz-Funk/Fusion interpretations. It is an LP which I have relished for many a year. Ripped to FLAC at 24-bit/48khz I hope you also will find it just as fascinating and enjoyable.

Trumpeter Art Farmer has recorded six albums in his name for the CTI label whose enigmatic "Guanabara" with Brazilian singer Ithamara Koorax, which was never published. It is also found on the album of Bob James' BJ4 "and that of Yusef Lateef" Autophysiopsychic ". His lyrical breath, his balanced phrasing, his game while retaining, at times reminiscent of Chet Baker. Throughout his career, he faced several music styles without losing his soul or his talent, as demonstrated by this recording from 1979 with a funky rhythm section. As usual, he plays in a duo orchestra. We remember the wonderful "Big Blues" with Jim Hall recorded a year earlier. But this time, the saxophonist Joe Henderson, another jazz legend, who shares the bill. His quick game lets out moments of incredible sweetness. The texture of his sound is unique in these moments. Despite the presence of excellent classmates (Steve Gadd, Will Lee, David Spinozza, John Tropea ...), the result is rather mixed. Vibraphonist Mike Maineri, in control for the first time, seems to fail creating a real osmosis between all these musicians.  ~ ctifanblog.

Flugelhornist Art Farmer's fourth and final LP for CTI also features tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson. The material (which includes originals by Clare Fischer, Joe Zawinul, Don Grolnick and Mike Mainieri) is not the most memorable and the funky rhythm section (which is greatly expanded) does not really blend all that well with the styles of Farmer and Henderson so this set is not as exciting as one might hope. A decent but largely forgettable effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

CTI Records, CTI 9000, 1979

Recorded and Mixed April 1979 at Power Station Studios, New York

Personnel:

Art Farmer - Flugelhorn

Joe Henderson - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick, Warren Bernhardt, Fred Hersch - Keyboards

Mike Mainieri - Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Arranger

David Spinozza, John Tropea - Guitar

Eddie Gomez - Bass

Will Lee - Electric-Bass

Steve Gadd - Drums

Sammy Figueroa - Percussion

Suzanne Cianni - Synthesizer Programming

Track Listing:

A1. Dulzura {Clare Fischer} (8:21)

A2. Stop [I Think Again] {Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb} (4:08)

A3. Young And Fine {Joseph Zawinul} (6:26)

B1. Lotus Blossom {Don Grolnick} (6:43)

B2. Blue Montreux {Mike Mainieri} (7:12)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Associate Producer, Arranger - Mike Maineri

Engineer - Neil Dorfsman

Mastering - Rudy Van Gelder

Cover Illustration - Susannah Kelly

Cover Design & Photography [inside] - Alen MacWeeney

Design - Neal Pozner

Calligraphy - Bernard Maisner