01 - You Shouldn't Do That (15:41)
02 - You Know You're Only Dreaming (6:37)
03 - Master Of The Universe (6:16)
04 - We Took The Wrong Step Years Ago (4:50)
05 - Adjust Me (5:46)
06 - Children Of The Sun (3:21)
Bonus Tracks
07 - Seven By Seven (5:23)
08 - Silver Machine (4:39)
09 - Born To Go (Single Edit) (5:04)
Dave Brock - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Audio Generator
Nik Turner - alto sax, flute, Audio Generator, Vocals
Del Dettmar - Synthesizers
Dik Mik - Audio Generator
Dave Anderson - Bass, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Terry Ollis - Drums, Percussion
Review by Mike DeGagne
In Search of Space strengthened Hawkwind's science fiction-type brand of progressive rock, gaining bass player Dave Anderson and galactic poet extraordinaire Rob Calvert, while losing John Harrison at the same time. The album opens with the mind-numbing galactic haze of "You Shouldn't Do That," a spooky little 15-minute excursion that warps, throbs, and swirls with Dik Mik's "audio generator" and the steady drum pace of Terry Ollis. Then comes the ominous whispering of the title, set to the pulsating waves of Dave Brock's guitar and Turner's alto sax, with Dettmar's synth work laying the foundation. Wonderfully setting the tone, "You Shouldn't Do That"'s improvisational looseness and rhythmic fusion smoothly open up the album into the realm of Hawkwind. The peculiarity never ceases, as "You Know You're Only Dreaming" and "We Took the Wrong Steps Years Ago" delves even deeper into obscurity, sometimes emanating with the familiar jangle of the guitar which then has its acquaintance overshadowed by the waft of the keyboard. Just as "Master of the Universe" chugs and rolls with a foreboding rhythm, "Adjust Me" retaliates with its moaning verse and tonal fluctuations fading into oblivion. The groundbreaking sound which Hawkwind achieved on In Search of Space helped to open up a whole new avenue of progressive rock. This album would lead to their most successful release in Space Ritual, coming two years after In Search of Space, with their interplanetary groove already set for takeoff. [The 2001 British reissue includes three bonus tracks: the "Original Single Versions" of "Seven by Seven" and "Silver Machine" and also the "Live Single Version Edit" of "Born to Go."
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”This is your captain speaking, your captain is dead”
“In search of space” was the album which set Hawkwind on the road to mass appeal. The packaging no doubt helped, complete with a multiple fold out sleeve, plus an excellent booklet entitled “The Hawkwind log”.
Even with all the innovation and rapid progression happening in music in 1971, this album was truly original. It starts with the 16 minute “You shouldn’t do that”, a jazz rock track (though not in the Chicago/Blood Sweat and Tears sense), starting with the futuristic sound of the “audio generator” before diving into a pounding rhythm and chanted vocals.
“You know you’re only dreaming” is a softer more melodic affair, while the classic Hawkwind number “Master of the universe” restores the pace. The remaining tracks are conventional Hawkwind (if there is such a thing), including some great acoustic guitar on “We took the wrong step..”.
The remastered CD is beautifully presented in a digipak fold out cover, and includes a shrunken version of the log (you’ll need your reading glasses though!). It also has 3 extra tracks including the surprise hit single “Silver machine”.
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This to me is THE Hawkwind album. Sure there were other elements to come but they all fed off this essential concept. I know for many people the Hawks of the Lemmy era are the real ones but I think both Lemmy and the Drummer Simon whatisname brought very strong limitations to the party. So this album is much freeer and more experimental. what a shame Terry Ollis got too off his face to continue. Just compare the drumming on this to the limited style on the next few albums. Hawkwind never really got much respect as a 'progressive' band and I think this is due to the restrictive Rock and roll cliches that both Lemmy and Terry Ollis's replacement introduced. Listen to this album now and you will see it was way ahead of its time. Brave concepts and brave musical experimentation. I didn't appreciate this album so much in its day but now when i listen I see how unique it was. Dave Brock's guitar sonics and acoustic compositions excellent; Nick Turners heavily processed sax doodling unique. The sound effects and production brave and daring .The albums concept deep and mind blowing. Terry Ollis's drumming unique and interesting, sometimes jazzy sometimes almost tribal. The synth parts are daring and the whole rhythm section tight. Give it an honest listen you'll see what I mean
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2nd album of the spaceship Hawkwind. Far away musicly from the debut. You can't find jazz influences here. Only pure space sound. Just 6 tracks, but every one of them is a classic. Starts with the longest You Shouldn't Do That. Very hypnotic this one is. You Know You're Only Dreaming and We Took The Wrong Steps Years Ago are some kind of a Hawkwind ballads. You can really fly off with that two. Master Of The Universe is a Hawkwind standard even today. Great strong rock track. We have a mighty guitar riff here, it could fit well on thier 3rd album. Adjust Me and Children Of the Sun are not the highlights, but are strong titles in Hawkwind catalog. Hawkwind at it's best. 5 stars.
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