MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

If you are newbie about Hawkwind... But who can be today about Hawkwind? (excuse the irony) "Master Of The Universe" is not a simple compilation but an attempt to serve you in 40 minutes the definitive Hawkwind album between 1971 and 1974. Can he do it? No... But because it's impossible. Nowadays it is difficult to categorize Hawkwind in a real genre as they have so many elements of Krautrock, Psychedelia and Proto Punk as well as Hard Rock all expertly mixed to create an original and not easily classifiable music. In short, for Great Britain, a unique band. Being a compilation (first released in 1977) "Master Of The Universe" is only good for a Hawkwind newbie or to be inserted into the CD player in a car.

Having said that I immediately note that the last track is "Lost Johnny", the one that Motorhead will rework on their first album (i.e. "On Parole") and in the first official album ("Motorhead"). for the rest they are classic Hawkwind compositions, minimalist in arrangements and hypnotic to the core. In a certain sense there is no band closer to Krautrock in Great Britain than Hawkwind. Hawkwind are a transversal band because they manage to please a really wide audience and not just a specific group and I like them for this very reason.

A compilation like "Master Of The Universe" can only deserve to be rediscovered (or discovered) if you love minimalist music and without too many frills. But it is not a masterpiece. Like all compilations it is not. It is just a way to discover an immense band. So do not put your money if you have everything of Hawkwind. And, honestly, let's face it: Long live Hawkwind.