HAWKWIND
In Search of Space
(Cherry Red)
Hawkwind's 1971 'In Search of Space' was the band's second album and arguably one of their finest, helping to firmly define Space Rock as a genre in the public consciousness, and cementing their reputation as a band, collective, phenomena - call it what you will. That they went on to issue umpteen albums, went through endless line up changes, and continue to this very day makes them pretty unique. They are not a heritage act, or a reformed nostalgia band, as they never really stopped and evolved and developed as they went, moving from Space Rock through Progressive, Heavy Metal/Hard Rock, Psychedelia, and back to Space Rock again (not necessarily in that order). The list of members and collaborators over the years that have revolved around permanent founder member Dave Brock is impressive. Lemmy, Nik Turner, Ginger Baker, Lene Lovich, Eric Clapton, Mike Batt, Michael Moorcock, Steve Hillage, William Orbit, even Sam Fox, amongst many others have taken part. The fact that, having formed in 1969, they are still going is impressive also, with their most recent album 'Stories From Time and Space' released on Cherry Red in 2024.
This limited edition box set comprises 2CDs of a new remaster of the original album, along with new mixes, including of the chart hit 'Silver Machine' (probably still the one Hawkwind track widely recognised by those otherwise unaware of the band) and ‘Seven by Seven’, session out-takes and a Blu ray disc with 5.1 Surround Sound mixes of the album, bonus tracks and a video of 'Silver Machine'. Now, I don't know anyone with a Blu Ray machine , so whilst I appreciate that for those audiophiles with 5.1 Surround Sound kit, this might be a draw, I can't see it getting much use by most tbh, and it feels a little like extra padding to help stretch a single album out into a triple. Cherry Red do love to do a deluxe box set though, and they do it so well that I can forgive them a bit of Blu Ray indulgence. True to form, you get a 68-page illustrated book with a new essay on the band and a reproduction of the 'Hawkwind Log Book', which supposedly tells of the bands trip across the far reaches of the Galaxy, written with the help of underground press writer Robert Calvert. That would subsequently be developed into the Space Ritual stage show, of which there is also a live double album, worthy of attention. Hawkwind have always been noted for this sort of OTT space fantasy and accompanying stoned stream of consciousness blurble that adorned their fold out sleeves, usually with a pair of breasts featured somewhere (yes, there is a pair present here too!). In fact a significant part of their early live draw for your average hippy male was the opportunity to see well endowed dancer Stacia strip off and gyrate about on stage at a time when public nudity in rock performances was still a novelty.
Back to 'In Search of Space'. It really is quite a remarkable record when you consider the time at which it was created and the relatively primitive studio technology available that pushed bands like Hawkwind to experiment with new and different ways of using what was available, resulting in an album that is like a Space Rock 'Sergeant Peppers'. Hawkwind were certainly early synth pioneers, but (in my view) don't get nearly enough credit for it. Using what was then new technology like the EMS VCS3 synth, which resembled an old telephone switchboard and was famously used by Brian Eno on early Roxy Music tracks, the band made the most of its unique atmospheric capabilities, providing sounds every bit like the sound of seagulls wheeling overhead for the track 'Master Of The Universe'. The album is full of little moments like that, which is why there are those extra two discs of different mixes and 5.1 surround sound treatments (if you have the kit for that). Its the level of detail and complex interlaced rhythms and riffs that mark this, and other Hawkwind albums, out. Although these may have grown out of stoned jam sessions, and to be frank, the band really do resemble a bunch of beardy old hippies, the organic nature of these tracks has much in common with modern atmospheric and experimental music (or should that be the other way round?). The fact that there are only six tracks here shouldn't detract from it, either. We may be used to having many more tracks on an album now, in fact, the album format has effectively become obsolete with the advent of streaming individual tracks, but in 1971 there was a 44 minute limit to the length of any vinyl album (22 minutes per side), so if you had longer tracks included, you got fewer of them. I rather like that constraint as it added tangible value to every minute included.
Once again, Cherry Red have excelled themselves here in providing a package that is far more than a re-issue, and adds a huge amount to the original, both presentationally, and sonically. From the remixes, and the original Barny Bubbles artwork, to the extensive and insightful sleeve notes, and the video content, if you needed a primer in the galaxy of what was Space Rock, this would be it.
Essential Information:
‘In Search of Space’ takes off on 30th August from all the usual places
