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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.
Journey songs
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.
Don't Stop Believin' - video from 'New Perspective'
The music for 'New Perspective' developed while touring the USA promoting our 40th Anniversary album Time Flies. Our keyboardist Manuel Valera and bassist Janek Gwizdala asked me if I was interested in playing any jazz interpretations of Journey songs. That question has been coming up for the past 40 years and my answer has always been “No.”Ignoring my "No," Manuel decided to come up with a radical treatment of Don’t Stop Believin.’ We tried it at a soundcheck, played it that night and it got a positive response, which shifted my perspective. On June 29, 2023, near the end of our east coast tour, we stopped at Studio Mozart in Little Falls, NJ to record Don’t Stop Believin,’ Open Arms, plus new versions of Vital Information classics The Perfect Date and Charukeshi Express. A theme for our next album was born: Record songs that I had previously played on during my career but with new arrangements that are quite different from the original versions, bringing a 'New Perspective' to the music.
- Steve Smith
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.
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' (with Allan Holdsworth). 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 brilliant drummer will be pleased.
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