SWEET OKAY SUPERSISTER: SPIRAL STAIRCASE

Lots of confusion of this album so let me attempt to simplify by saying that this is not a SUPERSISTER album, but instead a solo album by Sascha van Geest under the name "SWEET OKAY SUPERSISTER". The confusion I think is that many of the musicians also played in SUPERSISTER incarnation that appear on this album. Having said that though this overtly quirky album resonates with a certain flare and offers some pretty interesting moments. Musically this album clings to a certain ZAPPA'esque magnetism offering strange musical compositions and challenging time signatures. Instrumentally this is a full album with a large cast contributing : Robert Jan Stips (keyboards, lead vocals, vibes), Jan Hollestelle (bass), Ron van Eck (bass), Sacha van Geest (flutes, vocals), Mien van den Heuvel (mandolin), Hans Alegres (steel drum), Inge van Iersel and Jose van Iersel (backing vocals). Lots of background effects, talking/chanting and noises adds this the mysticism of this album, which clearly verges on the cliffs on insanity. I hear all kinds of musical influences here like Syd Barrett, GENTLE GIANT, SUPERTRAMP, Steve HACKETT and of course SUPERSISTER. This album has grown on me as I found it slightly too arcane on first listen, but now find I am quite fond of it's progressively psychedelic zaniness... may not be for everyone's taste buds though I appreciate !