line up 1 (1968-69)  as Nova

- Martyn Harryman -- drums, percussion

- Tim Hinkley -- vocals, keyboards 

- Ivan Zagni -- guitar 

  line up 3 (1969) as Jody Grind

- Tim Hinkley -- vocals, keyboards 

NEW - Barry Wilson -- drums, percussion (replaced 

- Ivan Zagni -- guitar 

  supporting musicians (1969)

- Louis Cenammo -- bass 

- David Palmer -- horn arrangements

  line up 3 (1969-70)

NEW - Peter Gavin -- drums, percussion (replaced Barry Wilson)

- Tim Hinkley -- vocals, keyboards 

NEW - Bernie Holland -- guitar (replaced Ivan Zagni)

- Avant Garde (Ivan Zagni)

- Big SIdeways (Ivan Zagni)

- Bluesology (Bernie Holland)

- Ansley Dunbar's Blue Whale (Ivan Zagni)

- The Bo Street Runners (Tim Hinkley)

- Boxer (Tim Hinkley)

- Cannon Brothers with Shade (Peter Gavin)

- Chicago Line Blues Band (Tim Hinkley)

- The Collection (Barry Wilson)

- The Crowd (Tim Hinkley)

- Dada (Martyn Harryman)

- Heads Hands & Feet (Peter Gavin)

- Tim Hinkley (solo efforts)

- Hummingbird (Bernie Holland)

- Denny Mitchell Soundstation (Tim Hinkley)

- Music On the Wall (Ivan Zagni)

- The News (Ivan Zagni)

- Patto's People (Tim Hinkley)

- Poet and the One Man Band (Peter Gavin)

- The Riff Burglars (Tim Hinkley)

- The Shortlist (Tim Hinkley)

- Snafu  (Tim Hinkley)

- Stealers Wheel (Bernie Holland)

- Streetwalkers (Peter Gavin and Tim Hinkley)

- Vinegar Joe (Tim Hinkley)

Genre: jazz-rock

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  One Step On

Company: United Artists

Catalog:  UAS 6774
Year: 1969

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor sleeve wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $80.00

Singer/keyboardist Tim Hinkley had played in a number of mid-'60s bands including The Bo Street Runners and The Chicago Line Blues Band.  Guitarist Ivan Zagni had a similar career, including a stint with The News.  Together with drummer Martyn Harryman, the three came together as Elkie Brooks support band, but when that project ended on the planning table the three decided to form the band Nova.  Harryman was quickly replaced by former The Collection drummer Barry Wilson and the band changed their name to Jody Grind (inspired by a famous Horace Silver track).  Harryman reappeared a couple years later in the band Dada.  The trio made some noise on the English club scene, opening for the likes of Rory Gallagher and Taste.  They also attracted some attention playing outdoor festivals.  At that point the trio was signed to Nat Johnson's Transatlantic Records.  In the States United Artists acquired distribution rights.

Produced by Hugh Murphy,1969's "One Step On" has a legion of fans who sing the collection's praises.  Could all those folks be wrong?  Well, I may be out of step with the mainstream, but try as I may, I just don't hear the album's charms. I've listened to the set a dozen times over the years and I just don't get it.  With singer/keyboardist Hinkley and guitarist Zagni responsible for the majority to the five compositions, the collection offered up a stiff set of lengthy jazz-rock influenced pieces.  There's no doubt all three members were technical virtuosos, but I can't say any of these tracks really caught my fancy.  The fact Hinkley wasn't a strong singer didn't help.  His best performances warbled, if not worse.  Tracks like the opener 'In My Mind' and 'Nothing At All' showcased seemingly endless jams with each member off in their little eco-system.  It all reminded me of a bad Brian Auger album, or something The Nice might have releases.  Lots of self-righteous navel gazing with a distinctive lack of interest in melodies, or catchy rhythms.  There were of course moments of interesting.  Their hyper-speed cover of The Stones' 'Paint It Black' sounded like it was recorded while overdosing on speed.  'Little Message' actually had a mildly soul-tinged melody.  Zagni turned in some intense guitar solos and anyone who enjoyed the Auger/Nice school of electric keyboards was going to find some entertainment in Hinkley's work.  I just wasn't one of those folks.  Docked a star for the blatant Chuck Berry rip-off 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Man.'

"One Step On" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) One Step On - 18:47

Side one featured an extended three part suite with the first two segments blending into one another without a great deal of distinction.  In contrast, their cover of The Stones 'Paint It Black' was unlike anything else on the abum.

   a.) In My Mind   (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) -  rating: ** stars

To be honest, Tim Hinkley's Hammond powered 'In My Mind' reminded me of something out of the Brian Auger's school of jazz-rock.  The addition of David Palmer's horn arrangement only served to underscore the comparison.  When they finally kicked in Hinkley's waiver vocals didn't endear the track to me.

   b.) Nothing at All    (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) -  rating: *** stars

The second part of the opening suite brought Hinkley's vocals into the forefront; as well as the horns.  The melody was certainly tighter, but throwing in an extended Barry Wilson drum solo managed to kill any momentum the song generated.

   c.) Paint It Black   (Mick Jagger - Keith RIchards) -   rating: *** stars

A cover of The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black served as the album's only non-original.  Played at a hyper-speed tempo with  blaring horns and Zagni's lead guitar going into meltdown mode, it was certainly the album's most mainstream and commercial number, which probably explains why it was tapped as a German single.  Their arrangement was loud and perfect for someone on speed, but that's not to say their cover added anything to the original. 

- 1970's 'Paint It Black' b/w 'Little Message' (Metronome catalog number M 25 201)

(side 2)

1.) Little Message   (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) - 4:42   rating: *** stars

Hinkley's opening keyboards indicated 'Little Message' was going to offer up another slice of bland jazz-rock.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered this was actually a weird mix of blue-eyed soul and Auger-styled jazz-rock.  Once again each member played at full speed, but this time they somehow managed to hold on to a decent melody.  Damn if they didn't create a lot of sound for a three piece.

2.) Night Today   (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) - 5:04  rating: ** stars

'Night Today' managed to bounce from hardcore jazz opening to supper club lounge ballad.  I couldn't help but picturing Bill Murray doing his Nick the Lounge Singer backed by Blood, Sweat and Tears.   I've seldom heard a transition as sudden and jarring.   

3.) U.S.A   (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) - 6:41   rating: **** stars

Opening up with some molten bar rock moves, 'U.S.A.' was the album's hardest rocking number.  Showcasing Zagni, imagine a mid-Western outfit like Crow, or maybe Grand Funk Railroad without the commercial aspirations.  On any other LP this would have been an "also ran" track, but here it was probably the standout performance.

4.) Rock ‘n’ Roll Man   (Tim Hinkley - Ivan Zagni) - 4:31   rating: * star

Well, having heard 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Man' they were lucky Chuck Berry didn't come after them for copyright violations ...  Seriously, this was a blatant rip-off of Berry's 'Go Johnny Go.'   Listen to a Chuck Berry LP instead.

In Germany the album was repackaged and released under the title "Conception."  Same track listing and running order, but a different cover.  (Metronome catalog number MLP 15356)