East Of Eden

Overview of Snafu

Snafu is the second album released by the British band East of Eden. It came out in February 1970 on the Deram label. The album consists of a series of short, interconnected musical segments that create a continuous flow across its two sides. This structure is reflective of the band's progressive rock style, which blends various musical influences.

Musical Composition

The album features a diverse array of instruments and styles. The band members contributed to much of the material, which incorporates elements from existing works. For instance, the track "Ramadhan" is a rearrangement of a traditional piece, while "In The Snow For A Blow" includes a segment from Charles Mingus's "Better Git It In Your Soul." Other notable segments include the pairing of "Leaping Beauties For Rudy" and "Marcus Junior," along with "Xhorkom" and "Gum Arabic." The album's approach to composition highlights a fusion of rock with jazz and traditional music.

Track Highlights

Snafu features several key tracks that stand out. The opening track "Have To Whack It Up" sets the tone for the rest of the album with its energetic rhythms. The combination of "Leaping Beauties For Rudy" and "Marcus Junior" showcases the band's versatility. The medley "In The Snow For A Blow" creatively integrates jazz influences. East of Eden also includes a traditional arrangement, closing the album with a nod to their roots.

Reception and Impact

Snafu achieved commercial success, reaching the UK Top 30 albums chart shortly after its release. Additionally, the single "Ramadhan" reached number two on the French music charts, which illustrates its popularity in Europe. The album was produced by David Hitchcock and East of Eden, with Richard Gottehrer contributing to one of the tracks. The engineering was handled by David Grinsted and Robin Sylvester, ensuring a polished sound.

Band Members and Production Credits

The lineup for East of Eden during this album includes Andy Sneddon on bass guitar and strings, Geoff Britton on drums and percussion, and Geoff Nicholson on guitar, piano, harmonica, and vocals. Dave Arbus contributed violin, flute, bagpipes, saxophones, trumpet, and Indian bells, while Ron Caines played saxophones, piano/organ, stylophone, and provided vocals. The album's cover photography was done by Peter Sanders, adding a visual element to the project.

Snafu was released in February 1970 as a vinyl LP album.