Space Shanty by Khan

Space Shanty, the gigantic unique work by Khan, an English band belonging to the Canterbury Scene, formed in 1971, disbanded the year after the release of this album, published in 1972.

British progressive rock group formed in London in 1971, released one album, Space Shanty, in 1972. The band broke up because Steve Hillage, discouraged by their record label's lack of interest in a second album, wanted to join other bands. Another important factor was the departure of bassist Nick Greenwood, which frustrated him and led him to think he was becoming musically more ambitious than the band could accommodate. Hillage later joined Gong, while Stewart became part of Egg and National Health. Much of the material intended for Khan's second album was later used in Steve Hillage's first solo album, Fish Rising. Space Shanty is an absolute masterpiece.

A fantastic fusion of psychedelic progressive rock, Space Rock and Symphonic Rock with Hard Rock accents and characterized by exceptional instrumental performances, we are talking about an absolute masterpiece of the genre.

About 46 minutes, 6 tracks in which Steve Hillage's psychedelic guitar (Uriel, Egg, Khan, Gong...) and the fantastic work on the Hammond, perhaps the best ever, by Dave Stewart, coming from Egg, predominate.

It's wonderful to listen to them at the beginning of their careers, Steve before his solo works and with the Gong, Dave before Hatfield and the North and National Health.

This album has no weak points, there is no filler track, although it is not a concept album the pieces are perfectly connected to each other, the musicians as mentioned are top level and do great things without indulging in useless virtuosity. I find Hillage's solos beautiful and perhaps Stewart's best Hammond work in the history of rock.

Some notes on the tracks:

- Space Shanty, the Title Track has a great hard-rock riff and an excellent vocal part, a great long guitar solo and wonderful tempo changes.
- Stranded with beautiful acoustic guitar and organ that then expresses itself in a beautiful solo.
- Mixed Up The Man Of The Mountain is an emotional track with great instrumental improvisations and a dreamy mood, wonderful.
- Driving To Amsterdam is a beautiful ballad with exceptional keyboard solos.
- Stargazer as well as Hollow Stone Escape Of The Space Pirates with great guitar solos.

All simply incredible, Space Shanty is one of those albums I listen to regularly, a masterpiece with beautiful melodies, great compositions, impeccable execution, from the jazzy and sophisticated sound of the Canterbury scene to the swirling and spacey elements of psychedelia and space rock. 

Essential album.

Tracklist

1. Space Shanty (including The Cobalt Sequence and March of the Sine Squadrons) (8:59)
2. Stranded (including Effervescent Psycho Novelty No. 5) (6:35)
3. Mixed Up Man of the Mountains (7:14)
4. Driving to Amsterdam (9:22)
5. Stargazers (5:32)
6. Hollow Stone (including Escape of the Space Pirates) (8:16)

Duration 45:58

LineUp

- Steve Hillage - guitar, vocals
- Nick Greenwood - bass, vocals
- Eric Peachey - drums

With:
- Dave Stewart - organ, piano, (sky)celesta, marimba

This album is a true Progressive Rock METEOR. Visit the PROG METEOR section for more information.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.