“Bridges” is the ninth solo album by the legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Lukather, who goes by the moniker Lukather. This is his first album with only his surname on the cover art. The main question is whether “Bridges” could have been the new Toto album. Hmm, the answer is both yes and no… If you ask me, it’s kinda intricate. As Steve stated, “I see it as a bridge between my solo music and Toto music”. As a result, you got an answer, even though I believe the album leans more on the Toto side.
The songwriting was done by Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams (Toto, Intelligent Music Project), and David Paich (Toto, Russ Ballard, i-Ten). Aside from that, former Toto musicians Randy Goodrum (piano, keys) and Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) have contributed to the songwriting, particularly on the tracks “All Forevers Must End” and “Not My Kind of People”, respectively. The musicians who participate here are both past and present members of Toto: Simon Phillips (Toto, MSG, Joe Satriani) on drums, Shannon Forrest (Toto, Mecca) on drums, Steve Maggiora (Toto) on keyboards, Leland Sklar (Toto, Russ Ballard, Richard Marx) on bass, Jorgen Carlsson (Gov’t Mule, Survivor) on bass and Steve’s son Trev Lukather (Levara) on bass & guitar. Since Steve stated that Toto won’t be releasing another studio album, I think “Bridges” is a tribute to the band. I’m not sure why he said that, but the phrase “never say never” is ever-present in everyday life.
The album blends melodic rock, AOR, pop-rock, and Westcoast music, with a few blues touches. The production is crystal clear and full. The album was produced by Joseph Williams (Toto’s vocalist), engineered and mixed by Ken Freeman (Toto, Fourplay), and mastered by John Greenham (Billy Idol, Billie Eilish, Bad Suns). Needless to say, all the performances are amazing. Steve also sings well while showcasing his remarkable guitar virtuosity. Personally, I think Joseph should have taken over as lead singer… obviously, he does a hell of a job on the backing vocals.
Finally, Steve Lukather’s “Bridges” is an incredible tribute to a life dedicated to music. It’s an album that bridges genres, eras, and emotions while showcasing Lukather’s unparalleled talent and creativity. Whether you’re a Toto fan or not, “Bridges” is a melodious music journey worth checking out. Based on his entire musical career, I believe Steve Lukather has already established himself as a timeless virtuoso in the pantheon of rock legends.
