Masato Hashi@CyberFusion (as CF)
We heard bonus tracks would be included in "A Collection" CD. Will
you tell us song titles of the bonus tracks like "Smokin' In The Pit" album you reissued last year?
Mike Mainieri(as MM)
There is one bonus track on the "Paradox" recording which is an
alternate take of the Aleph. We were not able to include any bonus tracks on the "Step By Steps"
studio recording as Nippon Columbia had lost the original masters. Hard to believe, but true.
CF
We understand Steps by Steps was the first studio recording by
Steps and recorded right after "Smokin' In The Pit" recording in
Tokyo. However none of songs are common between these 2 albums. Didn't
you play any song from "Step by Step" in live? Or do you still have
unreleased songs from "Smokin' In The Pit" recording?
MM
True, none of the songs were repeated in these recordings, although I do have several 'live' takes of the songs from the 'Step By Step' CD that we played at the Pit Inn. I did not include them as additional bonus tracks on the 'Step By Step' CD as sonically they were so different. In the future I do plan to release a compilation of 'live' Steps performances that span the 20 years the band has performed.
CF
In "Paradox", the band started using some synthesizer and seems leading to electlic Steps Ahead though the first 2 albums were very acoustic. What made you change the sound?
MM
The use of synthisizer on 'Paradox' wasn't a deliberate decision to change the sound of the group. One has to remember that both Don and I were using synths in earlier recordings (i.e. Love Play & Wanderlust). For this particular album we happen to write some pieces that built around the use of synth pads. The Don Grolnick composition Four Chords is an example.
CF
"Paradox" was recorded live at jazz club "Seventh Avenue South" in New York Citythat no longer exists.
The club was once a center of contemporary jazz. Can you tell us about the club? Any memory?
| | at The Seventh Avenue South in 1983 | |
MM
Yes, I have very fond memories of the club. It was owned by the Brecker Brothers and was one a club that presented the most eclectic musical programs in New York. Jaco Pastorius, the Marsalis Brothers w/ Art Blakey. Funk bands, Fusion groups, be bop, you name the genre and you could hear it at the club. It was also the hippest hangout in New York. Celebrities, producers, writers etc. all came to the club to hang out and listen to music.
CF
While ago you mentioned about possibility of releasing L'Image album. Is this project still existing?
We don't know anything about L'Image. Will you explain about the band?
Who were in the band?
MM
The L'Image group included members Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Warren Berhardt and myself. We were all living in Woodstock at the time and decided to devout several months in developing the music. We rehearsed in my barn which was converted into a studio. The group played at the Joyous Lake in Woodstock and also in Rochester, New York (the home of Steve) and worked on fine tuning the group. Unfortunatley the group dissolved when Steve received an offer to play with the band Stuff.
We did manage to record some of the music on the Love Play and Wanderlust album.
CF
Can you tell which songs were by The L'Image in "Love Play" and "Wonderlust"?
There is a song titled "L'Image" in "Wonderlust" but Steve's name is not on this album.
MM
On "Love Play", "Silkworm" and "Love Play" and on "Wonderlust", "L'Image" were all formerly written for and performed by L'Image. Yes, I used Peter Erskine on "L'Image" as at the time Steve was busy.
CF
According to NYC Records web site, Steps Ahead is planning to visit China this year.
Can you tell us about the story? where do you go to China?
MM
We have had an offer to play but the details have not been confirmed yet.
CF
Can you tell us your other plan this year?
MM
Next week I will be recording for the NYC label, THE FRINGE PLUS ONE.
This year is the 30th year of George Garzone's Boston based band THE FRINGE.
It is a trio featuring George on Sax, John Lockwood on Bass and Bob Gullotti on drums. We have played a few gigs as a quartet and therefore decided to document the music. So the new record, THE FRINGE PLUS ONE will feature the trio plus myself as special guest.
I am also working on a standards album called 'JUST FRIENDS', and hope to have some old friends join me on some of my favorite standard tunes. I'll be touring in OCT/NOV throughout Europe with Steps Ahead and plan a Spring 2001 tour with the Fringe. A Summer 2001 tour is also planned with an Electric Funk version of Steps......
CF
Thank you very much.
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