The 1985 version of
Elements features five talented musicians but unfortunately the music is dominated by electronic percussion and forgettable melodies. The team of bassist
Mark Egan and drummer
Danny Gottlieb (who were formerly with
Pat Metheny and became
Elements' co-leaders) had not yet settled on the group's sound. Although
Elements sometimes hints at
Weather Report (with
Bill Evans on soprano trying in vain to be as significant as
Wayne Shorter), the drum machine takes away from the group's spontaneity and gives a sameness to most of the selections, even the extended blues "Surf Blues and Greens."
Elements would record more creative sets in the future.