“THE JAZZ LIFE.” Mike Mainieri. Sony 96W50064....

“THE JAZZ LIFE.” Mike Mainieri. Sony 96W50064. The vibraphonist, an early champion of the electric jazz fusion movement, is teamed here with Warren Bernhart on synthesizer and piano, Bob Mintzer on reeds, the remarkable Eddie Gomez on bass and Omar Hakim of Weather Report on drums. Produced by Ben Sidran, directed and photographed with more imagination than the Smithsonian series, it runs to a full 60 minutes and takes in seven pieces, presumably all originals by members of the group. There is especially good chemistry between Mainieri and Bernhart. Despite the touches of fusion rhythm, it’s more down the middle than off the wall. 4 stars.