http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8417&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.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, 27 Nov 2009 13:51:55 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.8417&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.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=tra.26934301&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934301 tra.26934301 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.0 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 Pools tra.26934301 673000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934301&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934301&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053546&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053546 tra.2053546 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Old Town tra.2053546 379000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053546&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053546&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934306&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:41 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934306 tra.26934306 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Northern Cross tra.26934306 350000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934306&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934306&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934302&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934302 tra.26934302 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Islands tra.26934302 384000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934302&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934302&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934304&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934304 tra.26934304 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Both Sides Of The Coin tra.26934304 371000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934304&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934304&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053543&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053543 tra.2053543 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Modern Times tra.2053543 380000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053543&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053543&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934296&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934296 tra.26934296 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Beirut tra.26934296 497000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934296&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934296&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053545&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053545 tra.2053545 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Now You know tra.2053545 389000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053545&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053545&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934303&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934303 tra.26934303 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Loxodrome tra.26934303 326000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934303&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934303&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053541&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053541 tra.2053541 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Oops tra.2053541 384000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053541&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053541&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934298&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934298 tra.26934298 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 In A Sentimental Mood tra.26934298 215000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934298&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934298&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634296&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Tue, 16 Dec 1980 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 634296 tra.634296 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Tee Bag tra.634296 825000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634296&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634296&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053542&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053542 tra.2053542 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Self Portrait tra.2053542 364000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053542&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053542&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053540&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053540 tra.2053540 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Safari tra.2053540 422000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053540&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053540&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1350800&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sat, 1 Jan 1994 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 1350800 tra.1350800 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Rendezvous tra.1350800 421000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1350800&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.1350800&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634306&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Tue, 16 Dec 1980 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 634306 tra.634306 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Recordame - (new addition) tra.634306 604000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634306&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634306&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423385&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sat, 1 Jan 1994 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 423385 tra.423385 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Buzz tra.423385 285000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423385&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423385&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423389&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sat, 1 Jan 1994 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 423389 tra.423389 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Green Dolphin Street tra.423389 366000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423389&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.423389&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.491355&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Tue, 16 Dec 1980 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 491355 tra.491355 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Sara's Touch tra.491355 841000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.491355&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.491355&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634297&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Tue, 16 Dec 1980 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 634297 tra.634297 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Uncle Bob - (new addition) tra.634297 649000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634297&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634297&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634304&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Tue, 16 Dec 1980 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 634304 tra.634304 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Not Ethiopia tra.634304 660000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634304&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.634304&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053544&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Sun, 1 Jan 1984 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 2053544 tra.2053544 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Radio-Active tra.2053544 533000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053544&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2053544&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934305&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934305 tra.26934305 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Skyward Bound tra.26934305 244000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934305&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934305&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934294&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:40 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934294 tra.26934294 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Magnetic Love [Reprise] tra.26934294 86000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934294&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934294&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934307&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss Fusion Wed, 1 Apr 2009 16:07:41 -0700 Top Tracks by Steps Ahead on Rhapsody Online 26934307 tra.26934307 Steps Ahead art.8417 0.99 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 Trio [An Improvisation] tra.26934307 452000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934307&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.26934307&variant=data&rws=%2Fsteps-ahead%2Ftop-tracks.rss