Hawkwind – Space Ritual Ultimate 50th-Anniversary Package:

What does it sound like?:

If you don’t know “Space Ritual” and you like rock music, you really should. It’s definitive in so many ways; of Hawkwind; of British-style psychedelia of the early 70s; of the intense loud music that would, in different later evolutions, become heavy metal, punk, post-punk, electro, and krautrock; and of a music that can unite Hell’s Angels, hippies, ravers, science nerds, and basically anyone who likes (or liked) to dissolve their egos into music and light. “Space Ritual” is a concept album of the concept performance which drew together many strands of psychedelic-informed thought on this side of the Atlantic. It conveys what happened when some heads in Notting Hill who were into science fiction and Marvel comics merged tripping off one’s nut while watching the Apollo missions and attending a re-run of “2001: A Space Odyssey” in a fleapit cinema into a song series and performance. The 50th Anniversary re-release comprises a remaster of the original album, live recordings of the show in Liverpool, Sunderland, and London (from where the original recordings derived), and a stereo remix by another Stephen; Stephen W Tayler (not Wilson, as can seem inevitable for these things); the remix might be a bit cleaner for modern ears, but not with my hearing. Given the rumoured lifestyles of the band at this time, and how time perception can be altered and thoughts distracted when one is under the influence of Albert Hoffman’s remarkable discovery, it is surprising to see how together they were for the live performances, and how well it all gels. The show was a happening more than a gig, and the music, poetry recitals, dancers, slide-shows, lights, Pythagoran-arranged stage gear, etc. happened pretty reliably and consistently, so the different shows are a lot more disciplined (and a lot less rough) than I expected, forgiving though I would have been forgiving regarding the occasional fluff if i could have spotted one, as this was achieved despite a million possible gremlins every night.

What does it all *mean*?

It’s interesting how powerful this music remains, and how evocative it is. Maybe I’m biased – in fact I know I am – but I think it is a more powerful social document of an attitude and world than many recordings which are regarded as capturing the early 1970s in the UK. There is a school of thought that believes the subversive nature of LSD changing minds and perceptions was seen as a threat to some persons in government, and as a result, the subculture that used it as a sacrament in their contemplation of the world, was crushed. Yes, some people overdid it, and some minds are not made for such things, but I reckon super-strength skunk and synthetic cannabinoids like spice have been even more harmful, and certainly didn’t appeal to physicists like Carlo Rovelli or computer nerds like Bill Gates. “Space Ritual” is an example of the sly wit the drug created, hence songs like “Orgone Accumulator”, and recitals like “Sonic Attack”, and is a natural album to be listened to on the “Dark Star” (as in John Carpenter’s film of that name). For as long as people like science fiction, “escapism” (ahem) in all its forms, have a sense of wonder, and enjoy loud guitars and basic synthesisers meshing to create a new world, this album will remain the go-to. Does one need 5 versions of the album? Well, If you can afford it, why not?

Goes well with…

In my case, Amlopidine and a cup of builder’s tea. Other people will note it is mushroom season, or know gardeners who may be helpful. There is a wonderful simulacrum of Hawkwind’s “Space Ritual” performance in 1973 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlw83pm0NY), and one hopes that the rest of the gig follows this labour of love, which is the closest we can now re-live those performances (though the band promise something special for the birthday party of the album in the Royal Albert Hall in a few weeks time).

Release Date:

Out now or imminently, pop-pickers

Might suit people who like…

Hawkwind, Gong, Hawklords, Robert Calvert, Gong, Steve Hillage, Ozric Tentacles, Can, Monster Magnet, Tool, and similar.

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