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ONE STEP ON
JODY GRIND
1969 , UK - EURO 13.50
Label: GREEN TREE RECORDS
ALBUM REVIEW
When talking about Jody Grind we only refer to one of the most obscure and best outfits that the early 70’s British progressive rock scene would have given birth. As for many bands of that time, the line-up was a trio assembled for the occasion by keyboard player and band leader Tim Hinkley. In order to realize their surprising debut, titled ‘One Step On’, he recruited the dynamic and excellent guitarist Ivan Zagni and the drummer Barry Wilson. The external partecipation of Luois Cenammo (later with Renaissance) on bass and David Palmer for the arrangements enriched a lot the overall sound. The album opening is a breathtaking 18 minutes long track divided in four parts and culminating with the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black cover as closing section and preceeded by a long, and unusual for a studio album, drum solo. One Step On, simply taken from the album title, is mainly based on a slow and captivating theme with a strong jazzy atmosphere alternating the bombastic Hammond organ solos with the acid and fuzz sounds of the guitar. The inserts of a brass section give particular strength and effect in several moments of the suite recalling sometimes the well known passages in Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother. Even though is a mostly instrumental tune it shows sporadic vocals, especially in Paint It Black, sung by the loud and pleasant Hinkley’s voice. Side 2 isn’t so far as just listened to but includes four shorter tracks. The first one is the riding and hypnotic ‘Little Message’ featuring distorted organ/ guitar sounds supported by the brass section counterpoints inspired by the best Nice and Brian Auger repertoires. The follower ‘Night Today’ is a beautiful ballad with quiet jazzy overtones sometimes close to Blood Sweat & Tears or Brian Auger tunes (again). The last two tracks of the album strangely forget the progressive edge for showing the rockier side of Jody Grind, starting with ‘U.S.A.’ a bluesy piece in perfect Hendrix inspired vocals and precise guitar playing while ending with ‘Rock’n’roll Man’, a sort of homage to the rock roots of the 50’s being quite similar to the Chuck Berry’s Johnny Be Goode. (Eventyr) For further info visit one of the following websites: Rate Your Music, Prog Archives, Allmusic. Italian readers can especially visit the following one: Archivio Prog dal sito Altre Muse 
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