The Australian Progressive Rock group Snakes Alive‘s sole album, which was reissued a few years ago, stimulated the interest of record collectors not only because of its outstanding musicality, but also because of the external factor that it had been buried for a long time after only 50 copies being pressed. Surprisingly, the members of Snakes Alive repeat the same thing(?) once again in the days of the new band Stepps. Again, in the form of private pressing, only 50 copies were pressed and buried in the ashes of time. If there is a difference, it is about making a cover this time…
The genealogy of two musician, keyboardist Oleg Ditrich and bassist Michael Vidale, started in 1973 with the band Aragorn and continued to Bedtime Story – Snakes Alive – Original Steps – Stepps – Stepps2, for about 5 years. In that short period of time, the group’s name was changed six times, and musically it changed from Progressive Rock to Jazz Rock via Canterbury. Surprisingly, all of the groups listed above left behind good quality recordings. This was possible because at the time Michael Vidale was a trainee recording engineer at his father’s recording studio Clover Studios, and, shortly after, at EMI Sydney Studios. It is very fortunate to be able to fully understand the evolution of the band’s musical interests and their growth through this recording.
Those who started as the Progressive Rock band like that, added elements of Jazz Rock to Snakes Alive creating a more complex and powerful sound. However, two years later, Stepps‘ album “Waltz for Tiger Joe,” completely removed the previous Dark and Heavy tone and transformed into a light and sophisticated sound. The sound they created is similar to technical and Experimental European Jazz Rock. In particular, the part where the elegant high-tone female scat is added is at first glance reminiscent of the Belgian group COS. (COS‘ vocalist Pascale Son differs greatly from Bernadine‘s pure voice because of her coquettish and provocative singing style.)
The above description about Stepps‘s style is also characteristic of Canterbury Sound, a British Experimental Jazz Progressive genre. (COS is often referred to as the “Canterbury Sound of Belgium“)
Especially, main characteristics such as a quartet of electric piano-centered as main instrument, unexpected development by technical ensemble, a refreshing female voice, are same with the things of Canterbury’s representative groups Hatfield and the North and National Health. In particular, Ian‘s guitar and Oleg‘s Arp synth solo in the second half of “Step Up Behind” are good example to show the tones and manners of Canterbury Sound.
Stream the previously unreleased track “Step Up Behind” through the YouTube player below:
Tracklist:
1. Kolour Kode A. Ditrich 6:40
2. If I Knew A. Ditrich 7:11
3. Kryptonite I. Hildebrand 7:55
4. Make Me A. Ditrich 4:29
5. Flowers A. Ditrich 2:55
6. End Of Play A. Ditrich 6:34
7. Step Up Behind (not on original vinyl) A. Ditrich 6:06
8. Cumulus I. Hildebrand 8:03
Lineup:
Alex Ditrich / Electric and Acoustic Pianos, Sythesisers
Bernadine Morgan / Vocals, Congas, Percussion
Ian Hildeband / Electric and Classical Guitars
Michael Vidale / Bass, Guitar
Ralph Cooper / Drums, Gongs
Engineered by Michael Vidale, Mastered by Ralph Cooper