Ninian Hawick is a loosely assembled pop collective residing in Minneapolis, MN, masterminded and tended to by multi-instrumentalist John Crozier. Soundist/ composer / guitarist John is one of Minneapolis's best kept musical secrets. He has been involved with a score of bands over the years, most recently with Amy Turany in the guise of Ninotchka (grimsey 006) as well as co-starring roles with the Shebrews, Hang Ups and the Legendary Jim Ruiz Group. "Steep Steps" features 3 vocal tracks (along with a remix of the Scottish Rite Temple Stomp) and 5 instrumentals ranging from musique concrete to solo piano to French disko. Heather McElhatton provides the vocals on the lead lead off song, accompanied by a delicious supporting cast of bagpipes, lead kick drum, piano, and buzzed out guitars. Other guest vocalists appear on the EP - Ashley Souter does 'a turn as French nightclub singer over new wave groove'* on "Mon R*cit," and Patrick Durgin goes poetic on "Phrasebook Wands" - though the other vocal tracks are curiously attributed to another "band name" Ailsa Craig. (Confused? Yes, so are we.)