Side Steps ~ Japan

Verge of Reality (2005)

Verge of Reality is Side Steps' last studio album. Starting with 'Roppongi Night', it appeared the band were headed more for tropical waters, like their forefathers before them, with a light and breezy fusion sound typical of the early 80s era for example. But it was a head fake, and the abrasive hard guitar was back on the appropriately named 'Edge Trigger'. 'Parallel Reality' amps it up further and includes a couple of nice breaks adding to the excitement. 'Evergreen' is another mellow track, though ultimately more classy in that 5 star hotel lounge sort of way. Throughout, the synthesizer tones remain a problem, with their Nintendo-like sound, but overall the music is on par with some of Kenso's more fusion oriented works. Not going to change your world, but if looking for a solid jazz fusion album, one could do far worse than Verge of Reality.

---8/28/23

At one time I owned 4 albums from Side Steps. This is all that's left, which is their final studio work. Which tells you that this Japanese fusion group is quite well accomplished, but maybe doesn't have that little extra that gets one excited about an album. There are hundreds of fusion albums out there, and a band needs to bring out the creativity cart to gain attention. Side Steps has proven over the years to be very professional and talented. I need more than that. As I look at the original review I wrote, I find myself agreeing with all of it. But there's no more room in the collection for it either.

Former ownership: 2005 Musea (CD). Acquired in 2016. Downsized in 2023.

2/8/16 (review); 8/28/23 (update)

Formerly owned: Steps On Edge; Out and Out; Points of View

2/8/16 (new entry)