MP3 Jim Steele - Neptune Rising

Progressive jazz/rock for keyboards,bass, and drums

6 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, ROCK: Progressive Rock



Details:
âNeptune Risingâ is a new instrumental album of progressive jazz-rock for keyboards, bass, and drums. Elements of 70s prog rock, jazz fusion, and floating soundscapes converge in new formations. Each track takes you through a maze of different textures and moods, from rhythmic and intense to mysterious and ethereal. Listeners have made comparisons to Le Orme, Egg, Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, Tangerine Dream, Happy The Man, Brian Eno, Larry Fast, ELP, and Trace.

Jim Steele - keyboards

Tim Beeler - bass

Kent Klee - drums

recent review from progressiveears.com:

"Damn, this is a fun disc! I knew the minute I first put it on that I was going to be enjoying it and the longer it played, the more I got into it. Things get started out really nicely with a gorgeously spacey intro and when the drums and bass kicked in I was totally captivated. Who is this Jim Steele guy?! Well, about all I can tell you is that heâs from Ft. Wayne, Indiana and he plays all sorts of cool keyboards, both vintage and modern. His band includes bassist Tim Beeler and drummer Kent Klee.

The style is mostly spacey jazz-fusion with a strong emphasis on very cool synth textures. The music reminds of a cross between Zombi and Medeski Martin & Wood but with a bit more mellower Tangerine Dream/Brian Eno vibe going on in places. Also parts of it sound a little like Kevin Mooreâs Chroma Key without the vocals. Although the focus is mainly on the keyboards, the rhythm section is tight and lays down some original grooves. Another band I might vaguely compare this with would be Helmet of Gnats but without the fiery guitar work.

Jim Steeleâs abilities arenât limited to just creating great spacey atmospheres, either. Heâs also a very accomplished keyboardist and his piano playing on here is very memorable. In a nutshell, thatâs what makes this CD such a pleasure to listen to. Great skill is always an asset to originality and when both are present, you get something very special. One of the names mentioned on his CD Baby page is Herbie Hancock and while I probably wouldnât have compared him to Herbie, the similarity of mixing technique with technology is apparent.

I had never heard Jim Steeleâs name before I got this CD but I surely wonât be forgetting it any time soon. About the worst thing I could think of to say about Neptune Rising is that I could have handled twice as much of this music on the disc. If youâre someone that would get into some very hip synth tones in a nice fusion setting, this one should be right up your alley. Very strongly recommended!"

Keyboardist/composer Jim Steele has performed extensively around his homebase in Indiana, and has made appearances in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and New York City. He has performed with major jazz artists, and led his own groups pursuing original music. Jim has appeared on numerous recordings, including his own "Who's There?" and "Neptune Rising".