Nachdem es längere Jahre eher ruhig um Nik Turner, den Co-Gründer und ehemaligen Musiker sowie Co-Sänger von Hawkwind, gewesen ist, tauchte er im Jahr 2013 wie Phönix aus der Asche mit dem starken Space Rock-Album Space Gypsy wieder auf. Nachdem er anschließend auch auf den Bühnen wieder sehr fleißig war, folgte 2016 das instrumentale (aber nicht weniger interessante) Space Fusion Odyssey und nun liegt mit "Life In Space" bereits das nächste Werk vor. Wie auf den gerade genannten Vorgänger-Scheiben ließ er sich dafür von dem Hedersleben-Chef Nicky Garratt (auch Ex-UK Subs) sowie anderen Ex-Musikern dieser Band unter die Arme greifen. Weitere prominente Mitstreiter waren der Produzent Jürgen Engler, der für die Abmischung zuständige Chris Lietz sowie die ehemaligen Hawkwind-Musiker Simon House (Violine) und Paul Rudolph (ebenso Ex-Pink Fairies).
Drei brandneue Songs hat Turner für diese neue Platte co-komponiert, mit "Master Of The Universe" ist ein altes Hawkwind-Stück (Songwriting von Turner/Brock) am Start, zwei Nummern stammen von Engler/Lietz und bei zwei weiteren durften sich jeweils einmal Nicky Garratt als auch Jason Willer als Autoren einbringen. Auf dieser neuen Scheibe wird dann auch wieder gesungen, was meinen Geschmack doch eher trifft. Selbst wenn der gute Nik sich zeitweise (und vermutlich seinem Alter geschuldet) im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes etwas zahnlos anhört. Ist aber halb so wild, da der Gesang selbst seine Funktion erfüllt und mit der benötigten Power aufs Band gezaubert wurde. Ansonsten stellt das Album eine gelungene Fortsetzung der beiden Vorgänger-Werke dar, das wenige Schwächen erkennen lässt. Insgesamt ist es etwas relaxter, etwas ruhiger geworden, was von der Spannung aber nichts weg nimmt. Vielmehr greift das zeitweise verschleppte Tempo sehr effektiv als Stilmittel, eine große Leere, einen schwebenden Zustand, einen zeitlosen Zustand ohne Anfang und Ende darzustellen. Sehr ausgeprägt findet man diese Stilistik beispielsweise bei "As You Were", wenn sie auch wie eine Zitadelle über dem kompletten Album zu hängen scheint.
Bereits das eröffnende "End Of The World" (mit dem bereits erwähnten Gast Paul Rudolph an der Gitarre) kreiert eine melancholische und irgendwie auch vom ’normalen' Leben losgelöste Atmosphäre, die Anfangs von Nik Turners Flöte, im weiteren Verlauf dann von Kephera Moon's Keyboards und nicht zu vergessen auch dem Gesang dominiert wird. Und trotz aller versprühten Auswegslosigkeit und Leere stellt sich der Protagonist seinem Schicksal trotzig mit den Worten »I’m not scared of life…« entgegen. Musikalisch klasse umgesetzt und umgehend Aufmerksamkeit erregend, dazu versehen mit einer schönen Gesangsmelodie. Vom ersten direkt zum letzten Stück, dem Re-Make von "Master Of The Universe" (vom Hawkwind-Album "In Search Of Space" aus dem Jahr 1971): Eine ganz bestimmte Stimmung, die dazu vor mehr als 35 Jahren kreiert wurde, kann man natürlich nicht mehr wirklich reanimieren, was der Engländer aber zugegebenermaßen vielleicht auch gar nicht wollte. Ein direkter Vergleich hinkt also von vornherein und sollte deshalb auch verworfen werden. Das Stück selbst macht dagegen sehr viel Spaß, während die Band rockt und Turner seine Saxophon-Improvisationen darüber legt.
Aber auch die sechs Tracks dazwischen verfügen über viel Qualität. Neben dem bereits erwähnten "As You Were" verfügt das sehr psychedelische "Why Are You?" über ein cooles Gitarren-Riff, jede Menge abgefahrene Synthie- sowie Keyboard-Sounds und obendrein einer grundsolide rockende Rhythmus-Abteilung. Mit einer der stärksten Titel des Albums. Einen Ausfall gibt es nicht zu beklagen und die komplette Scheibe wirkt wie ein großes Ganzes. Und wenn dieses Kriterium erfolgreich umgesetzt werden kann, dann ist das bereits die halbe Miete.
Insgesamt ist "Life In Space" ein starkes Album geworden, auf das man sich einlassen sollte. Ein paar wenige Abstriche müssen beim Gesang gemacht werden, was aber insgesamt kaum ins Gewicht fällt. Glückwunsch also an Nik Turner, der erneut beeindruckend bewiesen hat, dass nach wie vor mit ihm zu rechnen ist.
Rock Times - Germany

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 Kephera 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.
Grande Rock - Greece

Hey Man…if you’ve been saying to yourself…I haven’t heard a really good space rock album in a long time, well your dreams are about to be answered with Nik Turner’s new album Life In Space. This is everything a psychedelic space-rock album is supposed to be in my books. Dreamy vocals, long synthesizer sound-scapes, echo-drenched spacey synths, trance inducing-hypnotic rhythms, layers of long, sustained icy Mellotron strings, throw in some flutes, saxophone, violin and sitar sounds and Wow, it’s all here. We’re looking at forty-four minutes of music packaged in eight musical-stews that cover a fair-bit of ground musically. Of course fans of the genre will know of Turner’s musical pedigree as co-founder of Hawkwind, he was the “wild-man” of the band, and looked and lived up to every part of that reputation. Interestingly this is only his sixth solo effort since 1978 and his most recent since 2015. I have to say, perhaps the music here caught me in a trippy mood but I just love it. It’s the kind of music that takes me back and sends me zooming into the future. It’s full of nostalgic sounds and riffs and yet doesn’t come across as dated in any way. Perhaps that’s because the music scene today has become so full of new and old but Life In Space seems to fit in very nicely here in 2017. I for one am very happy that Nik Turner is still with us all these years later still making interesting, fun psychedelic Space Rock music. Prog fans really should check out this new release it’s just so cool on so many levels.
Jerry Luck CD Reviews - USA


Charged with cosmic energy, restless reedman soldiers on to chain the rage of the greatest enigma.

“It’s not a rut if it’s in space” could be Nik Turner’s motto had it not been a concept for rolling down the route mapped out by 2013’s "Space Gypsy" and "Space Fusion Odyssey" from 2015. Intrepid and exhilarating, the veteran’s trip finds him shedding skin and shifting mood time after time, and this time there’s unexpected mellowness in his delivery of pieces that form a microcosm of the larger idea where bringing on a dance-like update of HAWKWIND’s anthem “Master Of The Universe” for a finale is a way out of our mortal coil rather than a return to base.

With Simon House on board and Paul Rudolph guesting on the acoustically driven opener “End Of The World” to give the album a delicate gloom which would be dispersed further down the line, Turner is transporting the listener to the “Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music” era before taking them on a vertiginous trajectory through a well-trodden continuum. Nik’s attempt to look at it all from a different angle is stoked on the intense, though very varied in tempo, “Approaching The Unknown” and “Secrets Of The Galaxy” by Nicky Garratt and Jürgen Engler’s songwriting that evokes classic prog period and fills it with a punk vim, while the funky riffs of the playful “Why Are You?” and the pounding “As You Were” ruffle the feathers of art rock discipline with a sax-spiked madness.

The flute-painted pastorale “Back To Earth” may be married to otherworldly synthesizers, yet they complement a guitar strum that anchors such a fantasy – like the gravitational wave mentioned a little later – and “Universal Mind” has its poetry recital set to a serene sort of jive for an even more heady effect. That’s why, less experimental than this series earlier installments, “Life In Space” is more accessible – and worth living, albeit maybe it’s time to move on from the rut.
Let It Rock - Canada


Space noise, as is Nik Turner's wont, pervades every aspect of this record. And yet after a minute of such introductory interstellar vibrations, track one, Nik Turner's arrangement of Graham Turner and Steve "Smiley" Barnard's "End of the World," emerges as a ballad of such gorgeous English melodic melancholy that you can bet if Oasis had recorded it, the song would be a Top 10 single the world over. Never one for pessimism though, juxtaposed against this musical setting, Turner's deliverly is fearless and hopeful, with a soft joy in his voice. Knowing Turner's penchant for the harder rock we'll soon be getting with the rest of the record, "End of the World" is that most rare occasion in music—a genuine, and lovely, surprise. Former Hawkwind cohort Paul Rudolph joins in for what is one of the songs of the year.

Next up, "Why Are You?" brings us to the juggernaut we more associate with Turner's sound as Nicky Garret's wah'd guitar thrashes forward and this time it's Simon House from Turner's old band who joins in the assault. "Secrets of the Galaxy" is a continuation of this procession, the tempo pulled back opens a more all-encompassing sound, jubilant and triumphant. This triptych culminates in the album closer, a 2017 update of Hawkwind classic "Master of the Universe," one of Turner's personal all-time favorites. Two minutes in and his horn sound warps and weaves, pouring forth sounds unrecognizable. Reworking your own classic material can be tricky but once this version is blasting through your speakers, its existence seems necessary, capturing the power of Turner's current live show. But there's a dreamy side to the album too. Nicky Garrett's "Back to Earth" has guitars and flutes swirling in hazy psychedelia. "Universal Mind" picks up this flow and plugs it in, the electric guitars and drums giving it lift and focus. Life In Space is a strong record showcasing some of Turner's best material and performed with a powerhouse of a band behind him. (www.nikturner.com)
Under The Radar - USA

Whilst many of his contemporaries are struggling – creatively – Nik Turner’s best work may still to be done. The one-time Hawkwind space cadet has been working consistently if quietly over the last couple of decades sometimes immersed in the more obscure free jazz but always passionately executed.

More recently he’s released ‘Space Fusion Odyssey’ which demonstrated in amongst the sax parpings and flute excursions there was always a good tune ready to reveal itself.  Part of the trick is to surround yourself with fellow journeymen of a certain stellar standing.  On the previous album, Steve Hillage and John Etheridge amongst others, on this latest offering Paul Rudolph and Simon House from Hawkwind days.

The Turner trade-marks are  present and correct; a funky undertow and repetitive musical mantra (‘Why Are You?’) with mellotron-esque keys and spacey sax, whilst ‘Back To Earth’ features Turner’s vocal against an attractive acoustic ground and House’s violin melody.

‘Universal Mind’, ‘Approaching The Unknown’ and ‘As You Were’ continue the overall  space rock vibe.  Turner is touring in the States this autumn and we can only hope he brings his band to the UK sooner than later as we all want an excuse to wear great coat and patchouli oil.

‘Secrets Of The Galaxy’ is straight out of the Hawkwind songbook c.1972/3 and to keep us further in touch with former times there is even an authentic version of ‘Master Of The Universe’.  Evocative and energising.
Get Ready To Rock - UK


The former Hawkwind legend, Nik Turner, returns with a brand new album of space rock and jazzy mayhem, titled Life in Space. Featuring some familiar faces, such as steady band members Nicky Garratt (guitars), Kephera Moon (keyboards), Bryce Shelton (bass), Jason Willer (drums), Jurgan Engler (keyboards, guitar, bass), and Chris Lietz (keyboards), Turner is also joined here by former Hawkwind/Pink Fairies guitarist Paul Rudolph on one track, as well as former Hawkwind/David Bowie violinist Simon House.

Life in Space kicks off with the dreamy, jazzy "End of the World", which features Rudolph on guitar and some gentle vocals and reeds from Turner. Bubbling synths, Mellotron, and wah-wah laced funk rock guitar riffs permeate the upbeat "Why Are You?", easily one of the most exciting cuts here and also highlighted by some screaming sax courtesy of Turner. Gorgeous flute hovers over acoustic guitars, synths, soaring violin from House, and Turner's haunting vocals on "Back to Earth", while "Secrets of the Galaxy" is, as you would expect, a rousing heavy space rock piece in the grand Hawkwind tradition. Fuzz & wah-wah laden guitar riffs, Mellotron, fluttering synths, violin, flute, sax, meditative rhythms, and Turner's hypnotic vocals swirl around the arrangement, creating an intoxicating miasma of sounds that will instantly appeal to any fan who has followed Turner since the early '70s. "Universal Mind" has more of a breezy, jazzy feel to it, Turner's vocals and flute leading the charge with clean electric guitar strains and Mellotron also finding some room to breathe, and the brooding "Approaching the Unknown" offers an instrumental take on ominous space rock, the flute fleeting, the synths percolating, and the guitars menacing yet holding back somewhat. Creepy stuff, that reminds of Pink Floyd's early material. "As You Were" takes a similar approach, a moody slow builder with booming bass & drums that slowly pick up the pace amid a wash of synths, sax, and heavy rock riffs. Not sure if Nik was short on material for this album, but we once again have another version of the Hawkwind classic "Master of the Universe", which, of course, is great, but I think another new track would have been more appropriate.

If you love vintage space rock, it doesn't get much better than this folks. Though in a perfect world, it would be great if Nik Turner and Dave Brock would kiss and make up and present just one Hawkwind faction, but I guess we are lucky to have both Hawkwind and Turner out doing their thing and keeping this great musical art form alive. Nik Turner is set to tour the US in 2018, so make sure you check him out at a concert venue near you.
Sea Of Tranquility - USA


The British reedman, vocalist, and former member of the legendary space rock band Hawkwind navigates the cosmos once again. For some, Life in Space may equate to solitude and awe, but Nik Turner's festive approach may be more conducive to joyriding on Comets. Indeed, the artist's vocals take on an air of innocence, often mixed evenly among the sprinkling and streaming electronics effects atop sprawling grooves and drummer Jason Willer's thrusting backbeats. Whereas, many of these works contain memorable riffs and hooks, contrasted by Turner's blissful flute passages and adventurous sax phrasings that often skirt the free jazz realm.

Keyboardist Kephera Moon employs an arsenal of synths to instill a sense of prog rock antiquity. But guitarist Nicky Garratt's crunchy wah-wah lines on "Why Are You?" ride above a firm pulse with bristling electronics treatments and the leader's mellow-toned vocals. Here, the band sports a big sound. Moreover, former Hawkwind members violinist Simon House and guitarist Jim Rudolph lend their wares on various tracks.
"Back to Earth" is an up-tempo celestial ballad featuring Garratt's harmonious acoustic guitar parts and an endearing melody, spiced with whispery melodic content and Bryce Shelton's steely bass lines that anchor the ensemble's propulsive momentum. Other works are dappled with Turner's mystical and echoing flute phrasings via layered backdrops constructed on existential implications and simple ostinatos. However, "As You Were" pronounces a doomsday metal outlook, seemingly executed in a remote galaxy where old stars die, and planets collide, due to the musicians' fiercely wrought connotations and accelerating pace.

Turner closes out the program with the Hawkwind classic "Masters of Reality," as Bryce dishes out the prominent bass groove and Turner's swirling sax solo generate a bit of high heat to round out this archetypal space rock delight. For nearly 50-years the artist has been applying his craft and continues his plight of transmitting good cheer back to earth during his treks into fringes of time and space.
Track Listing: End Of The World; Why Are You?; Back To Earth; Secrets Of The Galaxy; Universal Mind; Approaching The Unknown; As You Were; Master Of The Universe.

Personnel: Nik Turner: vocals, sax, flute; Nicky Garratt: guitar; Kephera Moon: keyboards; Bryce Shelton: bass; Jason Willer: drums; Simon House: violin; Jurgen Engler: Moog Synthesizer; guitar, bass; Chris Lietz: keyboards; Paul Rudolph: guitar (1).
All About Jazz - International


Sometime back in the mists of psychedelia, Nik Turner embarked upon a journey into outer space, via a psychotropic journey into inner space, from which he’s never quite returned. Countless acid-fuelled excursions into the interstellar void, grooving free jazz in the engine room of the good ship Hawkwind, marked the man. Dave Brock might rage impotently in the face of Turner’s continuing mission to explore strange new worlds, but while the stately, 77-year old saxophonist might be just as comfortable improvising alongside post-punk sonic explorers Jah Wobble and Youth or extemporising jazz rock fusion with Billy Cobham or Flame Tree, Brock’s got as much chance of keeping the Thunder Rider away from space rock as Canute had with keeping waves off the beach.

It’s also damnably hard to own the Hawkwind brand in the eyes of their bedazzled fanbase. As with Floyd there was never any single identifiable focal point. Squinting into the spiralling maelstrom of the live ’Wind experience at their Space Ritual peak, who’s the frontman? Bob Calvert? Lemmy? Stacia? Hawkwind were a collective force, Brock and Turner mere elements in a tumultuous audio-visual mind-fuck. Who owned it? Who cared? It was a beautiful thing, and to scrap over its legacy only seems petty. The antithesis of all that it was. Turner, meanwhile, isn’t without charm. He’s an accommodating, approachable, cool dude, indeed. He busks, hangs out after shows, works social media without even appearing to try. It’s clearly a charm that extends to the studio, for there are Hawkwind alumni more than willing to hitch a ride on Turner’s latest sonic excursion into space.

Introspective introductory track End Of The World (touched by an engaging fin-de-siècle fragility) features Astounding Sounds-era ex-Hawkwind and Pink Fairies guitarist Paul Rudolph, while wah-wah-driven Why Are You? irresistibly recalls Warrior On The Edge Of Time being the first selection to feature Simon House’s evocative violin. Back To Earth chimes acoustically, rich with a flute-accentuated melancholia peculiar to so many first-person sky pilots in Hawkwind lore, before Secrets Of The Galaxy hurtles the listener into the swirling blackness of a downer-driven sci-fi riff-storm. As Universal Mind unfolds it’s all too easy to slip down the back of the sofa into 1972, such is the accuracy of its period trippiness before Approaching The Unknown and As You Were intensify the otherwordly ambience in preparation for a triumphal closing assault on Turner’s classic Master Of The Universe which, while brilliant, is surplus to requirements in such excellent, career-topping company.
Louder - UK

Funny how some geezers are told they sound dated and some geezers are championed for being keepers of the flame. Original Hawkwind player Turner comes back from space to lift all the fans of space rock back to his home planet with the help of some geezers that still want to chart the cosmos. Space rock from the masters of that universe, it’s a sure bet progressive tastes with cotton to this outing.
Midwest Records - USA