Steve Smith, who originally became well-known as the drummer with Journey, grew up playing jazz. He has led one of the world’s top fusion-oriented groups, Vital Information, for over 40 years; they recorded their first album in 1983. Today’s version features the powerful drummer in a trio with keyboardist Manuel Valera and electric bassist Janek Gwizdala.
Smith rarely looks backwards but he was so inspired by Valera’s transformation of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’“ into an up-tempo jazz-rock piece, that he decided to record new versions of several songs from his illustrious past. New Perspective consists of revivals of three songs apiece from Journey and earlier versions of Vital Information plus a Michael Brecker composition that the drummer had played with Steps Ahead. But these new recordings are greatly changed from the originals.
The Journey numbers are an infectious rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin,’” “Open Arms” (which Valera has turned into a swinging 3/4 ballad), and Gwizdala’s transformation of “Who’s Cryin’ Now” into a sophisticated jazz exploration. The Vital Information numbers are “The Perfect Date,” an electronic “Charukeshi Express,” and ”Eight + Five” which was originally recorded by a quintet. Brecker’s “Sumo” is fusion that swings in its own colorful way with inspired solos from both Gwizdala and Valera. New Perspective concludes with a pair of Valera originals: the straight-ahead “Three Of A Kind” and a tribute to the late keyboardist and Weather Report founder Joe Zawinul called “Josef The Alchemist.”
Steve Smith began playing drums when he was nine, growing up in the Boston area. After high school he attended Berklee, spent two years playing with the Lin Biviano Big Band, studied with Alan Dawson, and worked with Jean-Luc Ponty during 1976–77, playing on Ponty’s landmark album Enigmatic Ocean. His seven years as the drummer with Journey (1978–85), which was followed by two later stints, made him world famous. In addition to leading several versions of Vital Information during the past 41 years (Time Flies was their 40th anniversary recording), he has been part of several Buddy Rich tribute bands, worked with Steps Ahead, and played with such adventurous jazz musicians as Wadada Leo Smith, Dave Liebman, Ahmad Jamal, Larry Coryell and Hiromi among many others.
New Perspective gives Steve Smith an opportunity to not just revisit some past triumphs but to create brilliant new music. Fans of the influential drummer will be pleased.