Saturday, May 1, 2021

Steppenwolf - Slow Flux (1974 canada / us, fine acid blues classic rock, 2018 remaster)


Few bands with as many hits to their name (eight gold albums, six US Top 40 singles) are as tied to a single song as Steppenwolf, who will be forever known for Born To Be Wild.

Here, however, are the band’s seventh studio albums, dating from 1974 respectively, and  first of three album produced in a brief flurry of activity between hiatuses. Slow Flux saw the group reconvene around a core of founder members, notably vocalist John Kay, whose unmistakably gritty tones give the album much of its character. 

It’s a strong, bluesy and nicely late 60s-sounding set, with several highlights including the Dylanesque Children Of Night and catchy single Straight Shootin’ Woman. Unavailable in its entirety for many years, it contains the Top 40 hit “Straight Shootin’ Woman,” as well as the foretelling “Children of Night,” and “Gang War Blues.” Clamored for by fans since it went out of print.
by William Pinfold, 06 September 2013
Tracks
1. Gang War Blues (Goldy McJohn, Jerry Edmonton, John Kay, Kim Fowley) - 4:52
2. Children Of Night (John Kay) - 5:11
3. Justice Don't Be Slow (John Kay, Joseph B. Richie) - 5:00
4. Get Into The Wind (Bobby Cochran, Casey van Beek) - 3:00
5. Jeraboah (Jack Conrad) - 5:41
6. Straight Shootin' Woman (Jerry Edmonton) - 4:04
7. Smokey Factory Blues (Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood) - 4:09
8. Morning Blue (George Biondo) - 4:12
9. A Fool's Fantasy (Goldy McJohn) - 3:37
10.Fishin' In The Dark (John Kay) - 5:47

Steppenwolf
*John Kay - Guitar, Vocals
*Goldy McJohn - Keyboards
*Bobby Cochran - Guitar
*George Biondo - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
*Jerry Edmonton - Drums
With
*Charles Black - Horns
*Don Ellis - Horns
*Gil Rathel - Horns, 
*John Rosenberg - Horns
*Sam Falzone - Horns
*Skip Konte - Chamberlin

1968  Steppenwolf (2013 japan SHM bonus tracks and 2014 SACD)
1969  Early Steppenwolf (1967 Live, Japan SHM mini lp)
1969  At Your Birthday Party (Japan SHM 2013 remaster)
1969  Monster (2013 japan SHM issue)
1970  Live (2013 Japan SHM edition)
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