The Hidden Step

Album review

Ozric Tentacles isn't an easy band to pigeonhole. Essentially, The Hidden Step falls into the space rock/progressive rock category. But Ozric was never a carbon copy of Pink Floyd, King Crimson, ELP, or Yes any more than it was a copy of Tangerine Dream. Ozric has had a vision of its own, and the British instrumentalists continue to forge ahead on this 2000 CD. Full of synthesizers, The Hidden Step successfully links space and progressive rock with ambient, trance, and techno. This isn't rave music per se -- it's definitely rock -- but it does acknowledge some of the electronic forms that dancers have moved to at underground raves. Another thing The Hidden Step readily acknowledges is world music; elements of Middle Eastern, Arabic, and North African music are quite prominent on this release. If The Hidden Step was played alongside Algerian rai or contemporary Turkish pop, it would be apparent how the East and West are benefiting one another. While a lot of contemporary Middle Eastern and North African pop has been heavily influenced by western pop and rock, The Hidden Step is an example of a British rock band looking east for some of its musical inspiration. Ozric's cult following will find a lot to admire about this challenging CD.

© Alex Henderson /TiVo