Search - Steps Ahead :: Modern Times

Unique and Unfortunately Deserted

JOHN S FRENCH | LANCASTER, CA United States | 12/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somebody gave me a cassette recording several years ago of Modern Times by a group I had never heard of called Steps Ahead. I had no liner notes and so could only guess at who was playing. Being a musician involved in playing jazz at the time and having listened to all the major "candy jazz" or "fusion" type bands, I found "Modern Times" to be completely unique in form and approach. What I heard was a unique blend of jazz chordal harmony mixed with complex contemporary rhythms that had a discipline all its own. It was far removed from the garden- variety compositions that featured self-indulgent prolonged solos and lazy "head arrangement"-type playing that had surfaced in all the other groups. Gone were the "hip" over-simplified melodies with their predictable kicks and safe melodies. Suddenly, I thought there was hope. Alas, all other Steps Ahead CD's I have sampled, although better than most, have deserted their own precedent for unique, truly listenable and groundbreaking music. "Modern Times" still is a standout, and holds up well even in the new millenium."

A classic. What else can be said?

JOHN S FRENCH | 07/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's astonishing that this album is as old as it is, because it still sounds so fresh. Steps was arguably at their peak here. This album was what made me want to get serious about jazz."

GREAT BAND!

Baddstuff | astoria, ny United States | 10/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the good fortune of seeing this band at the Bottom Line club in New York City twice, once with Peter Erskine on drums and another time with Steve Smith on drums and they were nothing short of excellent. The show with Erskine stands out for me although the show with Smith was by no means shabby!



They performed a few tracks from this CD and I was just in awe of the incredible sound put out by the band and the fantastic compositions, allowing each musician to stretch out. Master musicians at work. I originally had this on vinyl but recently got the CD version and it has stood the test of time for me.

Although she is not on this CD, this is the band that introduced me to the great Eliane Elias."