The Steppes - Enquire Within (1989)

«Easily one of the best and most distinctive combos of the neo-psychedelic crop, combining a subtly baroque musical sensibility with an ability to pull off ambitiously original arrangements and production ideas. The Steppes capture the essence of vintage psychedelia without sounding pretentious or unduly derivative. The band's albums have steadily grown more accomplished and impressive, Enquire Within is a mesmerizing, extraordinarily realized work…» (Bompstore)

«Enquire Within was recorded at Goldust Studios in Bromley and was engineered by Mark Dawson, who had been recommended by Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. Over a four week period the band laid down a selection of recordings that would give the band's recorded work the kind of production for which they had long hoped. This album was certainly a turning point in The Steppes sound and, when it was released in 1989, The Steppes started to get major press. The fledgling Q magazine described the album as “a strange, but rather fascinating brew” whilst Italy's Rockerilla compared the album to Hendrix meets Nick Drake! In truth Enquire Within was surely The Steppes attempt to finally satisfy their love for '60's music and bring it into the '90's. Master James which was slated for a UK 12" single that was never released, is a hard edged number that hints at Beatleseque vocal harmonies without being derivative. The love song “In Your Prime” hangs piano on a waltzing melody line, while the understated passion of “You Don't Know How Late” is reinforced by brilliantly subdued, electric guitar bursts. During “Who Am I To Say” Tim Gilman pours some of his most fiery guitar work into a crisp, Hendrix influenced, blues rock mould while “The Brightest Lights” is pure Steppes – magnificent lyrical, Irish rock blended with acid guitar ragas, mysterious and lethal. The Beatles like “Time Goes By”, a demo version of which is included on this CD, is the kind of song that has made Oasis famous while “Sailing The Silver Cloud” rocks out with Celtic abandon. Enquire Within was released on CD in Germany by the Music Maniac label with bonus tracks [included here]. Despite critical success Enquire Within was not helped by the cheesy, computer generated packaging and lack of effective promotion…» (Irishrock.org, click here for full bio & discography)

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