Hawkwind – Roadhawks – Atomhenge

Magazine Sixty aims to be a resource for the broader spectrum of electronic music, repetitive sonic adventures, and all the rich diversity that brilliantly entails. Travelling beyond the rigid structures of adherence to a single-minded formula was always the intention and while there is so much to discover we will continue to do that. Hawkwind were not a traditional rock band in any accepted sense of Rhythm and Blues, using synthesizers alongside the blaze of improvisation that extended well into the beyond. Beginning around the later 1960’s with the likes of Pink Floyd’s Interstellar Overdrive, plus the various American bands who altered what music could say and do stretching out from The Doors to Frank Zappa, to Silver Apples and then onto European’s like Neu. This path also led to historical and cultural perspectives playing an important part in that story too, with fascinating developments in the evolution of sounds and ideas always providing excitement – the counter culture. If you also take the broader view then try this album.

At times Hawkwind feel like the band that never were, even though they still are. Integral to the evolution of Rock music and electrical interference they are one of the key bands to stray outside of the imagination, shining beautifully (at times) in the process. This Roadhawks compilation was originally released back in 1976 and tracks highlights from the band to that date. Obviously with only eight pieces of music you are going to miss something which you feel should be included, or with any band of such longevity you may prefer one era to another. Thankfully, the album has actually been re-mastered from the United Artists master tapes, incorporating the various personal changes on route, the vinyl edition also includes various goodies to tempt such as the concert poster. While there is plenty to read about the band there appears to be little actual concert footage from this period. However, very much looking forward to Joe Banks ‘Hawkwind: Days Of The Underground – Radical Escapism In The Age Of Paranoia’. The title says it all.

Release: April 24

http://www.hawkwind.com

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/label/atomhenge