Dr Space - 2026 - Dr Space's Wicked Sonic Bulls

(69:59; Dr Space)

On Saturday 10th January 2026 at 10:30, four musicians started playing, and just two hours later they were finished. Scott Heller then engineered, mixed and mastered the recordings, and here is the result. Scott, in his alter-ego of Dr. Space (Øresund Space Collective and many others), provides Mellotron, analogue synths, Hammond and Modular Synth, and he was joined by guitarist Tom Ashurst (ex-Hawklords, China Bull Shop, Here & Now), bassist Martin Weaver (Øresund Space Collective, Doctors of Space, ex-Dark, ex-Wicked Lady) and drummer Darren Butler (Sonic Trip Project).

Given that the album is by Dr. Space one would expect it to be far more synth-based, but in reality, what we have here is a rhythm section keeping it all together, the synths often providing a backdrop but rarely coming to the fore, with the guitar being the main lead instrument. The result is something which is obviously heavily influenced more by Hawkwind than Tangerine Dream, but more of a modern version and less of the Seventies heyday that one might expect. Given that Ashurst has been heavily involved with the modern incarnation of Hawklords, both touring and on albums, perhaps that is not too surprising. It certainly feels that the other three musicians are following his lead as opposed to sharing the improvisational/compositional load, which is not what I would expect from a Dr. Space release. There is a sense of lightness about this recording, a sense of the guys smiling and enjoying themselves with little or no pressure and the result is something which is a pleasant workout while never being truly essential. 

Kev Rowland, July 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063533155653