Steve Hillman has been composing music since the 1970s, offering different genres from Space Rock to Electronic via Progressive Rock and Jazz Rock. His most recent project, The Trance Dimensionals, which also involves legendary Hawkwind member Nik Turner, offers classic Space Rock sounds. The new album, titled “Space Angel,” was released on January 07, 2025 and contains six tracks including two epic tracks around 12 minutes long. The album opens with the epic track “Space Groovin’ / N.D.E. / The Journey Beyond,” a mixture of Rock riffs and rhythms awith Space Ropck atmospheres. A rhythmic and addictive track, with warm vocals and the guitar playing good riffs and solo inserts, which around the 3-minute mark give way to Nik and his sax. A solo that takes us back in time to the sounds of early Hawkwind, interweaving intense vocal and instrumental parts with continuous tempo changes. The long duration is used to immerse the listener in the band’s musical atmoefere, bringing the atmospheres of the past into a modern context with personal traits. The intertwining of male and female vocals and the cleverly modulated effects enrich the track, giving the sound a Psychedelic touch. An urgent rhythm section characterises “Space Angel,” the album’s title track, a concentration of energy and modern Space traits. Good guitar work, a deep, load-bearing bass and frenetic drumming over which lysergic, dynamic and incisive vocal parts alternate with Nik’s solo interventions. A concentrate of power and Psych/Space. “Moon Dancer / Amunet” is a solid track with the guitar playing the lead role in dark, distorted riffs intertwined with the horns. The vocals are warm and expressive, leaving plenty of room for instrumental sections with solo guitar inserts as sharp as blades. A track enriched by tempo changes and modulations and effects, which envelops the listener and guides him in this dance on the moon, with oriental atmospheres in the finale. Here we come to the other epic track “Field Of Reeds / D-Rider / Transdimensional Beings,” which exceeds 12 minutes in length and is divided into three segments. The band takes us on an exploration of the more classic Space Rock sounds, inserting fresh and modern elements, with forays into Progressive Rock and a fine use of keyboards. Long instrumental textures and intense vocals intertwine throughout the piece, creating a true masterpiece of the genre and one of the best tracks heard in recent years. “Higher And Higher” is another piece that combines different genres and styles, with a touch that reminds us of the late 1970s. It is a dynamic and engaging piece, with the effected vocal taking us right back to that era, leaving room in the second part for the guitar for a brief solo cue in the middle part. The shorter track “Slinky” concludes the tracklist, with a fine solo by Nick accompanying us throughout the piece. An interesting ending, which leaves us wanting to listen to this work again in the future. A good album that brings the classic sounds of space rock into a modern context. The experience of the artists involved is evident, allowing the creation of 6 intense tracks, enhancing the band’s compositional and performing technique. Upstaged by a stellar lineup ce includes pioneers of the genre.
Tracklist
01. Space Groovin’ / N.D.E. / The Journey Beyond (11:44)
02. Space Angel (03:48)
03. Moon Dancer / Amunet (06:28)
04. Field Of Reeds / D-Rider / Transdimensional Beings (12:24)
05. Higher And Higher (04:04)
06. Slinky (01:57)
Lineup
Angel Flame / Vocals
Dave Anderson / Bass
Mike Bew / Vocals & Bass on Moon Dancer & Bass Duet with Dave on “Field Of Reeds“
Steve Hillman / Guitar, Keyboards & Synths
Dai Rees / Drums & Percussion
Featuring:
Nik Turner / Vocals, Sax & Flute
Special Guests:
Clog / Fretless Bass on “Slinky“
Jez Creek / Cosmic Oscillations
Mr Dibs / Vocals on “Higher And Higher“
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