Steppenwolf Gold: Their Great Hits

Steppenwolf Gold: Their Great Hits on 200g LP from Analogue Productions: Mastered from the Original Analog Tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, Pressed at QRP

John Kay and Steppenwolf have been delivering hard-hitting, personally-charged music for more than four decades. In the late-60s, Steppenwolf embodied that era's social, political and philosophical restlessness, building an impressive body of edgy, uncompromising rock 'n' roll that still retains its emotional resonance to this day. They were one of the few bands of their time to successfully straddle the pop-oriented AM mainstream and the hip FM underground, scoring substantial success on both the single and album charts without tailoring its approach to pander to either constituency. Such Steppenwolf standards as "Born to Be Wild," "Magic Carpet Ride," "Rock Me," "Hey Lawdy Mama" and "The Pusher" stand tall amongst rock's most indelible anthems.

"For the times, Steppenwolf was an uncharacteristically tight band," Kay notes. "When Steppenwolf was created, I think Jerry and I had both come to the conclusion that the strong rhythmic element was what we really valued. Our philosophy was 'Hit 'em hard, make your point and move on.'" The band's aggressive image co-existed with a thoughtful lyrical stance that challenged mainstream values and counterculture platitudes alike. "That idea of speaking your mind in the lyrics is something I had picked up in the folk-music community, and from growing up in post-World War II Germany," Kay adds. "We didn't see why you couldn't have music that worked on a gut level but still offered some food for thought."

Steppenwolf's Gold: Their Great Hits originally hit shelves in 1971 and immediately lived up to its title earning gold certification in a months time. It serves as both an ideal introduction to the band and the ultimate encapsulation of their '60s glory. Analogue Productions' 200-gram LP reissue is remastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Sound, plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in gatefold packaging with a poster insert.

Features:

• 200g 33 1/3 RPM reissue from Analogue Productions
• Mastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• Plated and pressed by Gary Salstrom at Quality Record Pressings
• Gatefold jacket with poster insert