Vital Information’s Tom Coster (keyboards – Bill Evans, Billy Cobham and Santana), Baron Browne (bass – Gary Burton, Steps Ahead, Jean-Luc Ponty) and newcomer Vinny Valentino (guitar – Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers, George Benson) join Steve Smith (drummer – Jazz Legacy, Steps Ahead, Burning For Buddy, Journey) for a bold excursion into World Music territory without leaving their American Jazz roots behind.
Vitalization’s 12 original compositions (composed by the members of Vital Information) define an emerging, borderless, “World Fusion” musical style that ranges from up-tempo blues, straight-ahead jazz and ballads to South Indian-influenced and odd-time grooves, funk and contemporary jazz-rock.
The CD also features guest percussionists Pete Lockett (England), Gilad (Israel) and Juan Carlos Melion (Spain), who add a variety of authentic, ethnic percussion sounds and flavors to the tracks.
Following his extensive tour and studio work with leading jazz, pop and rock musicians‚ not to mention his election to the Modern Drummer Hall Of Fame and multiple best all-around drummer awards,this recording represents a culmination of Smith’s influences and his growth as a musician while also demonstrating that the drummers’ drummer’s craft remains a work in progress and his appetite for taking on new challenges remains insatiable.
