VITAL INFORMATION — Ray Of Hope (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ray of Hope is Vital Information's seventh release, the first for Intuition Records and their first in four years. The material was actually recorded long before the release, while leader/drummer Steve Smith shopped around for a record deal. The majority of the selections have heavy commercial overtones, but the heavy grooves, nice melodies, and superb musicianship save this from being just another light fusion affair. Ever the selfless leader, Smith gives all bandmates plenty of opportunities to shine. In particular, keyboardist Tom Coster and bassist Jeff Andrews both shine on their duet of Horace Silver's "Peace." Drummers will be most pleased with the Max Roach-inspired drum solo "Maxed Out," a three-minute tour de force that proves why Smith is held in such high regard among his colleagues. While Ray of Hope may not be the most inspired recording the band has released, there is enough here to please most fans of high-energy jazz/rock fusion and/or contemporary jazz. Robert Taylor
Tracklist :
1. Clouds ( 1:01 )
 Jeff Andrews / Tom Coster / Frank Gambale / Steve Smith 
2. Celebrate Life ( 4:57 )
 Jeff Andrews / Tom Coster / Frank Gambale / Steve Smith 
3. Rio Lize ( 4:48 )
  Frank Gambale / Morris Pleasure
4. Lorenzo`s Soul ( 5:32 )
 Jeff Andrews / Tom Coster / Frank Gambale / Steve Smith 
5. Sacred Treasure ( 5:49 )
 Frank Gambale / Narada Michael Walden 
6. Sixth Sense ( 4:37 )
 Jeff Andrews 
7. Ray Of Hope ( 5:41 )
 Jeff Andrews / Tom Coster / Frank Gambale / Steve Smith 
8. Maxed Out ( 2:56 )
 Steve Smith 
9. All My Love, Always ( 6:30 )
  Frank Gambale
10.Peace ( 4:13 )
 Horace Silver 
11.Fit To Be Tied ( 6:25 )
 Jeff Andrews 
12.Over And Out ( 5:39 ) 
 Jeff Andrews / Tom Coster / Frank Gambale / Steve Smith 
Credits :
Steve Smith - Drums
Tom Coster - Keyboards
Frank Gambale - Guitar
Jeff Andrews - Bass

STEVE SMITH | TOM COSTER | LARRY CORYELL — Cause And Effect (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Produced by Bob Thiele and recorded at Electric Lady studios with engineer Eddie Kramer, Barefoot Boy is one of Larry Coryell's finest recordings as a leader. "Gypsy Queen" was recorded prior to bassist Mervin Bronson's arrival at the studio, and features the percussion section locking into a groove over which Coryell lays down a riff and Steve Marcus cuts loose with a fiery soprano sax solo. When it's his turn to solo on this opening number, Coryell turns up the heat, sounding like a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Sonny Sharrock. (Coryell played with Sharrock on Herbie Mann's Memphis Underground.) "The Great Escape" finds Coryell cooking over a bass and percussion groove, with Marcus on tenor sax. "Call to the Higher Consciousness" is a side-long 20-minute jam in which all the players take a ride, with Marcus once again cooking on the soprano sax. Roy Haynes is superb throughout, working in tandem with the percussionists to keep the music moving. This recording is a noteworthy example of the possibilities inherent in the early days of fusion, blending the electrifying energy of rock with the improvisational excitement of jazz.  Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1. These Are Odd Times ( 7:54 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster
2. Plankton ( 4:34 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster
3. Wrong Is Right ( 7:16 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell
4. Bubba ( 6:02 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell
5. Cause & Effect ( 0:49 )
Written-By – Steve Smith, Tom Coster
6. Night Visitors ( 8:08 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster
7. Miss Guided Missile ( 8:37 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster
8. First Things First ( 7:51 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell
9. Night Visitors Revisited ( 2:19 )
Written-By – Steve Smith, Tom Coster
10. Finale Wes & Jimmy ( 11:13 )
Written-By – Larry Coryell, Steve Smith, Tom Coster
Personnel :
Bass – Benny Rietveld (tracks: 2, 6, 10), Victor Wooten (tracks: 1)
Drums, Producer – Steve Smith
Guitar, Co-producer – Larry Coryell
Keyboards, Co-producer – Tom Coster