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Ozric Tentacles - The Hidden Step

Artist:	Ozric Tentacles
Title:	The Hidden Step
Label:	Stretchy Records STRETCHYCD3
Length(s):	48 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2000
Month of review:	[02/2002]

Line up

Ed - guitars, synths, samples
Seaweed - synths
Rad - drums, percussion
Jon - flutes
Zia - bass

Tracks

1)	Holohedron	5.49
2)	The Hidden Step	7.47
3)	Ashlandi Bol	6.04
4)	Aramanu	5.59
5)	Pixel Dream	6.21
6)	Tight Spin	8.45
7)	Ta Khut	7.05

Summary

At one point, the Ozrics infused the psychedelic scene with new blood, a new energy. Having quite a number of albums to their name, this is in fact the first Ozrics cd I have ever reviewed.

The music

After a typical spacey intro we have quite bombastic opening with a rock guitar, here in Holohedron. Although the music continues to be rather pacey, it does become more atmospheric. The melodies are strong ones, the atmospheres are well crafted. The drumming is loose.

The title track is more groovy. Again the music sounds quite hasty with lots of keyboards and fast paced drums. The middle part is rather violent with lots of keyboards intertwined. Later the music is of a more restful nature and easily glides by.

A wonderful title Aslandi Bol. Don't ask me whether it means anything, but it sounds good. The track itself has a Morish tinge with Spanish and later Arabic influences. Of course the music continues to be psychedelic. The Ozrics do make sure the every corner of the soundspectrum is used. At times I was reminded of Yanni, whose Out Of Silence for instance also used lots of this type of melody.

The Eastern influence stays in Aramanu. Slowly the music swells to include more and more sound, at the end it softly winds down again. Pixel Dream is rather groovy again, with plenty of drive and flow. It also includes some vocal effects.

Tight Spin is typical for the squeaky and bleepy space rock of the Ozrics (and their precursors Gong and Hawkwind). Cosmic influences, but also some pacey acoustic guitar and percussion make for a joyful ride. The closer Ta Khut opens with flute and in relaxed fashion. Then some acoustic guitar and again flute. I was much reminded of Peter Gabriel's Passion here.

Conclusion

A very likable album. One of their most likable in fact in my ears. The psychedelic Gong influenced music of the band is enriched with elements such as acoustic guitar, flute and some vocals in the background. The music does seem to have a certain direction, and this something which is often lacking in psychedelic music. Melodic content is high and although it is instrumental it is not so much a album full of solo's, certainly lacking in those that go nowhere.