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Erskine an incredibly versatile drummer

06/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Erskine has to be considered one of the most versatile drummers ever to play. His career has spanned an unusually broad spectrum of styles - from the blazing big bands of Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson, on to the fusion of Weather Report, and as a sideman with such artists as Rckie Lee Jones and Ira Sullivan - Erskine plays it all with equal dexterity and musicianship. This may sound unusual or impossible, but Erskine is a "pretty" drummer; he truly PLAYS the drums and his touch and passion for his instrument comes thrrough in his playing. He is NOT a banger. If you are a young drummer developing your style, you absolutely MUST check this guy out!"

Extraordinarily executed

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 05/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Erskine is one of my favourite modern day jazz drummers ever and if there's anyone better than he out there right now, I haven't heard them yet. A handful of people come close; there's Brian Blade of course and there's Jeff "Tain" Watts and then there's also William Kennedy, (who I came very close to deifying back in the 90s), but Erskine remains steps ahead - in my opinion, of course.



The two previous reviewers have said it better than I ever could, so please check out their impressions. To me, this album, recorded back in 1982 and digitally remastered in 1991 by Phil De Lake, is a true classic. For the most part, Erskine, on drums, percussion and OBX, is happy to step back and just be part of the ensemble - the mark of a true talent, if you ask me - and what a stellar ensemble it is: Randy Brecker on trumpet & fluglehorn, Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Mike Mainieri on vibes, Don Grolnick on electric piano, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass and Don Alias on congas. Reminds me of the good old days of Steps Ahead.



But he does step out to the fore on a few tracks: He is clearly leading on the opener, the Erskine/Brecker-penned "Leroy Street", one of my favourites, with a stunning solo performances by Mintzer, Kirkland & Randy Brecker; ther''s a brief display of brilliance on the (1min 28sec) "In Statu Nascendi", which is followed by a short and sweet version of the Wayne Shorter/Miles Davis classic, "E.S.P.", and he also gives it what for on the 11min 5sec long "All's Well That Ends", another firm favourite.



The sweet ballad "Change Of Mind", written by Mintzer, is another favourite, with Michael Brecker telling the story, while Randy Brecker and Bob Mintzer provide the solos. It's achingly beautiful.



I suppose the fact that only three people (including myself) have chosen to review this CD tells its own story. In all honesty, there's nothing mind-blowing, with any crazy oomph or wow factor here - hence the loss of one star - but it's still an extraordinarily executed set of songs that are on the whole, easy to hum and tap my feet along to. I find it makes interesting listening any day. Or night. The only real downside is that it's all over in just under 42 mins."

Peter Erskine's first and fine solo album

Erik Werkman | Utrecht, Netherlands | 05/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine first solo effort by my favorite overall drummer and one of the if not THE most versatile drummer(s) around, Peter Erskine. For this album he assembled an all-star cast including among others Michael and Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, the late Kenny Kirkland and Mike Mainieri. It is not an earthshaking record, but the execution of the well-chosen songs is inspiring and powerful enough power to impress. Peter's distinct and tasteful drumming style is already evident, although on albums to come after this one he would develop it to higher stages. An album closely connected to this one, both as to recording date and sound, and also highly recommended is "Steps Ahead" by Steps Ahead, although I am not sure if it is available at the moment. It is a shame that a number of his other recordings are currently out of print, like the excellent "Transition" and "Motion Poet", both on the Denon label."