http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8417&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rssFounded in the late 1970s by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, Steps Ahead were consistently one of the most widely appealing acts in jazz due to their smooth, polished sound and warm, listener-friendly melodies. Mainieri's vibraphone work added an otherworldly, mysterious touch to the proceedings, which revolved around the touchstone of tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker's advanced Post Bop improvisations. The rhythm section, featuring bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Peter Erskine, could either cook up slow-boiling Funk or relax into expansive swirls of sound, while pianist Eliane Elias provided the group with elegant, subtle harmonies. Many members of Steps Ahead moved on to successful solo careers, making for a constantly rotating lineup and evolving sound. The undeniable pop influence in Steps Ahead's sound paved the way for countless imitators, effectively spawning the genre of Smooth Jazz. - Noah EnelowFusionen720Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:19:16 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8417&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Founded in the late 1970s by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, Steps Ahead were consistently one of the most widely appealing acts in jazz due to their smooth, polished sound and warm, listener-friendly melodies. Mainieri's vibraphone work added an otherworldly, mysterious touch to the proceedings, which revolved around the touchstone of tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker's advanced Post Bop improvisations. The rhythm section, featuring bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Peter Erskine, could either cook up slow-boiling Funk or relax into expansive swirls of sound, while pianist Eliane Elias provided the group with elegant, subtle harmonies. Many members of Steps Ahead moved on to successful solo careers, making for a constantly rotating lineup and evolving sound. The undeniable pop influence in Steps Ahead's sound paved the way for countless imitators, effectively spawning the genre of Smooth Jazz. - Noah Enelow http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873791&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.26873791 alb.26873791 Steps Ahead art.8417 9.99 Steps Ahead alb.26873791 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/5/4/8/8/1598845_170x170.jpg 2009-03-31 00:00:00.0 null true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873791&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873791&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873790&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.26873790 alb.26873790 Steps Ahead art.8417 8.99 Magnetic alb.26873790 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/4/8/8/1598844_170x170.jpg 2009-03-31 00:00:00.0 null true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873790&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.26873790&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.286520&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Mon, 13 Mar 1995 00:00:00 -0800 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.286520 alb.286520 Steps Ahead art.8417 8.99 Vibe alb.286520 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/9/8/3/863891_170x170.jpg 1995-03-13 00:00:00.0 1994-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.286520&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.286520&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.311813&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Jan 1992 00:00:00 -0800 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.311813 alb.311813 Steps Ahead art.8417 8.99 Yin-Yang alb.311813 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/6/7/3/863761_170x170.jpg 1992-01-01 00:00:00.0 1992-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.311813&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.311813&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250466&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Sat, 1 Jan 1994 00:00:00 -0800 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.250466 alb.250466 Steps Ahead art.8417 6.99 Live In Tokyo 1986 alb.250466 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/0/7/3/863708_170x170.jpg 1994-01-01 00:00:00.0 1986-07-30 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250466&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250466&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.233409&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Tue, 6 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.233409 alb.233409 Steps Ahead art.8417 5.99 Modern Times alb.233409 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/0/6/8/1268601_170x170.jpg 2005-12-06 00:00:00.0 1984-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.233409&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.233409&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250468&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss Fusion Sat, 13 Mar 1999 00:00:00 -0800 Steps Ahead Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.250468 alb.250468 Steps Ahead art.8417 10.99 Smokin' In The Pit alb.250468 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/5/2/8/3/863825_170x170.jpg 1999-03-13 00:00:00.0 1980-12-16 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250468&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.250468&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Fdiscography.rss