Below the Salt is the fourth studio album by Steeleye Span. The album takes medieval influence and combines it with the band's electric folk style. The lineup on the album includes Bob Johnson and Rick Kemp making their debut for the band.Recording sessions took place in Chelsea London at Sound Techniques studios between May and June 1972. Tracks were mainly chosen by Tim Hart and Maddy Prior, but it was Johnson who suggested the band added their later Christmas hit "Gaudete".