VITAL INFORMATION - Vital Information (1983-2005) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Pre-dating Steve Perry's solo endeavor by a whole year, Vital Information was a peculiar solo release in an age where singers from highly successful bands were the only ones permitted to venture off into solo endeavors. Steve Smith, the drummer from one of arena rock's best bands ever --Journey -- broke the taboo by assembling a small group of musicians and releasing Vital Information, an all-instrumental, seven-song session. Electric jazz in the vein of Pat Metheny and later-era Miles Davis, this album may be a disappointment for those who were expecting more of the pop-friendly anthems Journey has previously delivered. The closest to a "Journey moment" arrives midway through the disc during Mike Stern's blistering guitar workout on "All There Is." But that's exactly what makes this record work: Smith is free of constraints and proves himself quite a versatile and intense drummer, well, capable of brushing things up a bit beyond what Zappa termed the "petrified forest of boom-bap" that rock drummers have become so well-known for. by Rob Theakston
Tracklist :
1     Looks Bad, Feels Good 4:29
Tim Landers
2     Questionable Arrivals 6:33
David Wilczewski
3     V.G. 4:49
Tim Landers / Steve Smith / David Wilczewski
4     Vital Information 3:42
Steve Smith
5     All That Is 7:44
Phil Griffin / Jeff Richman / Steve Smith
6     Stoughton to Stockholm Samba 8:15
David Wilczewski
7     13th Month 6:51
Steve Smith
Credits :
Bass – Tim Landers
Drums, Producer, Arranged By, Reissue Producer – Steve Smith
Guitar – Dean Brown, Mike Stern
Piano – Steve Smith (pistas: 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Dave Wilczewski