November 1999

Steve LaSpina
The Road Ahead
RAM

By Sunsh Stein

Bassist Steve Laspina, drummer Jeff Hirshfield and pianist Jim McNeely form an ideal trio. To this solid footing Laspina adds guitarist Vic Juris and saxophonist Bill Drewes to further expand his musical vision. Laspina's compositions are varied and textured, as is the instrumentation on the different pieces, from the beautifully understated trio on "Body and Soul" to the full group meshing on Laspina's "The Road Ahead". Happily, the bassist often takes the lead with his always sure pace and clear tone.