Years ago when most music was fresh, new, and inventive, GRP Records was in full swing.  With Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen at the helm, GRP gave their label mates a chance to expand and take chances.  This great opportunity lead David Benoit to one of his most treasured and creative albums, Every Step of the Way.  This album also brought David together with a few of his long standing musician friends like Russ Freeman, Eric Marienthal, Nathan East, and David Pack.

The album opens up with the title track.  It starts off as a gentle piano and builds into a catchy hook and great beat.  The pure piano solo mid-song paints the perfect picture of David‘s hands across the keys.  This tune has been a favorite of fans and radio for so long and exemplifies the classic Benoit sound.  “Shibuya Station” is one of my favorites.  With David playing piano and Eric Marienthal just wailing away on the sax, it is a song with a big sound.  Very powerful and full of flavor.  Turning to a vocal, David Pack adds his signature voice on “The Key to You.”  It’s a beautiful song, both in words and music.  The two David’s blend well together.

“Remembering What You Said” features Grant Geissman on guitar, and Sam Riney on sax.  Both play flawlessly alongside the piano.  Benoit’s use of a string section in his music always paints such beautiful pictures and feels like there should be a movie along with it.  This is no exception.  For nothing but piano, and yet another movie score-like tune, “Once Running Free” will fill the niche.  The album then kicks into high gear with “ReBach.”  Assisted by the Warfield Avenue Symphony Orchestra, David combines his love of classical music with the funkiness of jazz.  What a combination!  I remember sharing this track with a friend who does not like classical music at all and making a convert of them!

For more of the get-your-groove-on music, “Sao Paulo” delivers upbeat piano and Luis Conte’s funky percussions.  This Latin-infused track showcases a flute, provided by Dave Valentin, which follows every step of David’s piano, which is another powerful masterpiece.  “No Worries” is a toned down, catchy melody which offers gentle background vocals offered up by Nathan East.  It’s a nice transition from the joyful “Sao Paulo” and the only cover on the CD, Michael Jackson’s “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”  Alongside David on this song are Stanley Clarke and Harvey Mason.  It’s a great revised version of this hit.

Rounding out this album is “Painted Desert,” another picture perfect tune.  The serenity of this truly makes you feel like you are out there in the desert alone with your thoughts.  “Saturdays” is a fun piano and bass tune that wraps up the album, and is a good choice.  With the title of this CD, Every Step of the Way, this song feels like the end of a journey.

So many great songs, both hits and deeper cuts, have come from this album.  It is not only a favorite from days gone by, but an essential for anyone wanting to get a good feel of what this genre has the capability of producing.  Thankfully, David Benoit is still out there never disappointing us.

- Bonnie Schendell