I have been an avid follower of Hawkwind since my early teens, first discovering them with the release of In Search of Space, the reissue of which I later reviewed for TPA. It was immersing myself in its follow up, Doremi Fasol Latido, that I decided to investigate this their debut album entitled Hawkwind. I still remember being somewhat surprised by what I discovered. It’s gratifying to see this album receiving the attention it deserves, as it represents a crucial stage in the band’s evolution.
Cherry Red Records now turns its focus to this release, and as with their previous releases in the Hawkwind catalogue, this edition is carefully curated and assembled, offering remasters, new mixes, and a wealth of bonus material. The box set includes three CDs and a Blu-ray, accompanied by a nicely detailed 48 page colour booklet filled with detailed information and photographs.
This, their debut album, was originally released in August 1970 on the Liberty Label, having been recorded during March and April of the same year at Trident Studios in London. It quickly helped to establish the band as one of the most important and original bands to emerge from the UK underground scene at the time.
The first disc has the original Hawkwind album newly remastered from the original master tapes by Ben Wiseman, which was completed at Broadlake Studios, Hertfordshire. Alongside the original seven album tracks we get six bonus tracks, one from Dave Brock’s The Buskers album, two recorded on 23rd October 1969 and two mono version singles, all of which give an interesting insight into Hawkwind’s early development. Ben Wiseman’s remastering is excellent as he preserves the album’s raw, exploratory character while noticeably improving the overall sound quality. The opener, Hurry On Sundown remains the most familiar track for many listeners, its infectious rhythms and lyrics acting as an early blueprint for the band’s emerging space rock sound. The further you delve into the album, the clearer it becomes that this was a crucial stepping stone toward In Search of Space.
Disc Two features Stephen W. Tayler’s new mixes, and he has once again done a fine job. He clearly grasps what Hawkwind are about and knows exactly where to enhance it. The mix is crisp and spacious, with subtle but meaningful adjustments that give the album an almost reimagined feel. Bringing to the fore Nik Turner, Huw Lloyd-Langton and Dik Mik’s contributions, which does change the overall sound from the original, but keeping things instantly recognisable.
Nik Turner’s saxophone, particularly his wild, jazzy runs on Be Yourself, is a standout moment and a testament to what Tayler has achieved. Dik Mik’s electronics also gain new prominence, adding even more of that signature Hawkwind swirl and whoosh. This disc is a fine example of how modern technology can respectfully elevate recordings that were originally limited by the equipment of their time.
Disc Three offers what are described as “early days” archive live recordings from 1970, sourced from Dave Brock’s personal collection. The sound quality is undeniably raw and very much of its era, but that’s part of the charm. These tracks capture the band’s live energy and the direction they were heading, and they evoke the atmosphere of the bootleg tapes fans would have traded at the time. For me, they’re a nostalgic window into Hawkwind’s formative stage.
Disc Four contains the album’s 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler, plus the original album mix remastered (96kHz/24-bit) on Blu-ray.
Overall, this is another excellent box set from Cherry Red Records, with purchase options to suit different budgets and preferences. Whether you choose the full box set, the standalone CD, or the vinyl edition, this release feels essential for Hawkwind fans, especially if the debut album isn’t already in your collection. Even if it is, the wealth of new material makes it well worth revisiting. Newer fans, too, will find plenty here to spark an interest in the earliest chapter of Hawkwind’s long and storied history.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One: Hawkwind (remastered)
01. Hurry On Sundown (4:59)
02. The Reason Is (3:30)
03. Be Yourself (8:05)
04. Paranoia – Part 1 (1:08)
05. Paranoia – Part 2 (4:08)
06. Seeing It As You Really Are (10:45)
07. Mirror Of Illusion (7:02)
~ Bonus tracks:
08. Bring It On Home (Dave Brock solo track from “The Buskers” album (3:16)
09. Hurry On Sundown (recorded 23rd October 1969) (6:55)
10. The Kiss of the Velvet Whip (recorded 23rd October 1969) (5:25)
11. Cymbeline (recorded 23rd October 1969) (4:04)
12. Mirror Of Illusion (mono single version) (2:47)
13. Hurry On Sundown (mono single version) (4:56)
Disc Two: Hawkwind (New mixes by Stephen W Tayler)
01. Hurry On Sundown (4:54)
02. The Reason Is (3:26)
03. Be Yourself (8:04)
04. Paranoia (5:17)
05. Seeing It As You Really Are (10:34)
06. Mirror Of Illusion (7:04)
~ Bonus track:
07. You Know You’re Only Dreaming (recorded at Trident Studios, London 9th February 1970 (7:35)
Disc Three: Hawkwind (Early Days Archive live Recordings 1970)
01. Paranoia
02. Seeing It As You Really Are
03. We Do It
04. Came Home
05. Hurry On Sundown
06. Mirror Of Illusion (spoken word version)
Disc Four: Blu-Ray Hawkwind (5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler, plus the original album mix remastered [96kHz/24-bit])
01. Hurry On Sundown (4:54)
02. The Reason Is (3:26)
03. Be Yourself (8:04)
04. Paranoia (5:17)
05. Seeing It As You Really Are (10:34)
06. Mirror Of Illusion (7:04)
~ Bonus track:
07. You Know You’re Only Dreaming (recorded at Trident Studios, London 9th February 1970 (7:35)
MUSICIANS
Dave Brock – Vocals, Six & Twelve String Guitars, Harmonica, Percussion
Nik Turner – Alto Saxophone, Vocals, Percussion
Huw Lloyd-Langton – Lead Guitar
John A Harrison – Bass
Terry Ollis – Drums
Dik Mik – Electronics
Mick Slattery – Lead Guitar (CD1 & 2: 8-13, CD3: 1-3)
Dick Taylor – Additional Guitar (CD1 & 2: 8-13)
Thomas Crimble – Bass (CD3: 1-3)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records | Atomhenge
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 27th February 2026
LINKS
Hawkwind – Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Boxset info at Cherry Red Records
