
Nik Turner
Life in Space
Purple Pyramid Records
2017
I guess Nik Turner needs not special introduction. Being one of the founding members of Hawkwind, he will always be regarded as one of the most pioneering musicians of his time and not only. You see his sax and flute have given a whole different perspective to the so called space/psychedelic rock movement.
Anyhow, “Life in Space” is Nik’s new solo work, two years after his previous “Space Fusion Odyssey”. The new album features two very special guest appearances… one by Paul Rudolph (Hawkwind, Pink Fairies) on the “End of the World” and another by violinist Simon House (Hawkwind, David Bowie) on “Why Are You?”. Well, I’d like to point out that “End of the World” is one of the best tracks that Nik has delivered over the last years… an atmospheric space rock anthem worthy of the Hawkwind fame! Moreover, Nik revisits “Master of the Universe”, one of the Hawkwind classics; quite well but nothing can surpass the original.
The production is full and clear on the whole. Along with Nik (vocals, flute & sax) this album also features: Nicky Garratt (UK Subs, Brainticket, Carcrash International, etc.) on guitar, Jürgen Engler (Die Krupps, ex-Doro) on Moog synthesizer, guitar & bass, Bryce Shelton (Bädr Vogu, Brainticket) on bass, Jason Willer (UK Subs, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, The Enemies) on drums, Chris Lietz (ex-Die Krupps, ex-Doro) on keyboards and Hephera Moon on keyboards. If you are a Hawkwind follower and you fancy the albums that Nik has been releasing in the last decade then “Life in Space” will also satisfy you for the most part.
Anyhow, “Life in Space” is Nik’s new solo work, two years after his previous “Space Fusion Odyssey”. The new album features two very special guest appearances… one by Paul Rudolph (Hawkwind, Pink Fairies) on the “End of the World” and another by violinist Simon House (Hawkwind, David Bowie) on “Why Are You?”. Well, I’d like to point out that “End of the World” is one of the best tracks that Nik has delivered over the last years… an atmospheric space rock anthem worthy of the Hawkwind fame! Moreover, Nik revisits “Master of the Universe”, one of the Hawkwind classics; quite well but nothing can surpass the original.
The production is full and clear on the whole. Along with Nik (vocals, flute & sax) this album also features: Nicky Garratt (UK Subs, Brainticket, Carcrash International, etc.) on guitar, Jürgen Engler (Die Krupps, ex-Doro) on Moog synthesizer, guitar & bass, Bryce Shelton (Bädr Vogu, Brainticket) on bass, Jason Willer (UK Subs, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, The Enemies) on drums, Chris Lietz (ex-Die Krupps, ex-Doro) on keyboards and Hephera Moon on keyboards. If you are a Hawkwind follower and you fancy the albums that Nik has been releasing in the last decade then “Life in Space” will also satisfy you for the most part.