Steps Ahead is the second album by the American jazz group Steps Ahead, released on Elektra/Musician in 1983. The group had previously released three albums under the name Steps on Nippon Columbia (Smokin' in the Pit (1981), Step by Step (1981) and Paradox (1982)), with Don Grolnick on piano and Steve Gadd on drums on "Smokin' in the Pit" and "Step by Step". Reception Allmusic awarded the album with 4.5 stars and its review by Scott Yanow states: "The music is essentially high-quality funky fusion, with Brecker typically blowing up a storm, Mainieri often playing the synthivibe, and Elias showing some early individuality". Track listing "Pools" (Don Grolnick) – 11:16 "Islands" (Mike Mainieri) – 6:25 "Loxodrome" (Eddie Gómez) – 5:26 "Both Sides of the Coin" (Brecker, Mainieri) – 6:10 "Skyward Bound" (Mainieri) – 4:04 "Northern Cross" (Peter Erskine) – 5:49 "Trio (An Improvisation)" (Brecker, Gómez, Mainieri) – 7:32 Personnel Steps Ahead Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone Mike Mainieri – vibraphone, synthesizer vibes, marimba, synthesizer, percussion Eliane Elias – piano Eddie Gómez – bass Peter Erskine – drums References 1983 albums Steps Ahead albums Elektra/Musician albums