CHAOS DELIGHT

Let's meet Alan Davey, the (little) man behind the BIG sound in HAWKWIND (from the mid-80's on, off, on, off....). He plays one mean Rickenbacker bass, also he possesses great knowledge on synths and sequencing etc. Ever since Alan heard Lemmy's bass solo in the song 'Time We Left This World Today' (from Hawkwind's DoReMi album of 1972) he was blown out and destined to rumble the cosmos with his hyper-active chunky bass-lines. And I'm glad he did. 'Chaos Delight' is a totally D.I.Y. album from Alan, released on Black Widow records in 2000. The style of composition doesn't change much from that of the Hawks, but being a one-man effort gives the songs a more personal vibe. Kicking off in true Space-Rock fashion, the thumping 'Sci-Fi-Delic' could easily be Hawkwind ; a basic riff full of churning rhythm guitars, dizzying synths and his rumbling Ricky bass. The drums are programmed and are the weakest facet of this work. 'Vulcan Ritual' is an ambient, electronic excursion featuring some sampled quotes and a pulsating synth arrangement which reminds of atmospheres from ELOY's early 80's albums. 'Interceptor 1' returns to the driving and heavy space music of the first track, but this one sounds somewhat 'poppier'. The near-7min 'Holosuite Program' is an intensely mesmerising synth piece formed around repeating electronics with random lead- synth lines. All the while, the sounds of jingling bells and hand drums are present. Incredibly trance-inducing, and if I had to pick a similar track by the mothership, it would have to be 'Going to Hawaii' (off the Electric Tepee album). Side 2 of the record starts with 'Theme From U.F.O.', a throwback tribute to some 50's/60's Space show. The opening and end section's main riff is really retro and psych sounding, bookending an astonishing mid-section with amazing Bass, keys and cool lead- guitaring. 'Eagle Alfa' and 'Assimilation' are again hard rock tunes lost in space. Album closer 'S.I.D.' approaches near the 7-min mark again, and is a lighter, repetitious groove which never fails to satisfy, although doesn't dazzle either. Some nice Bass motifs can be heard in this one. Chaos Delight is a very good album that allowed Davey to get some of his own ideas off his chest, done in his way, with no outside interferences and an enjoyable off-shoot of Hawkwind- styled Sci-Fi music to boot. 3.5 stars.