Hawkwind — Doremi Fasol Latido
Doremi Fasol Latido was the third album UK Space rockers Hawkwind. First released in the year 1972 - it found the band making their sound both rawer and heavier, with tripped out touches & a densely swirling production. Here from Atomhenge, one of the sub-labels of Cherry Red is a new double CD reissue of the album- taking in the original album remastering, a new stereo mix, and bonus tracks.
The two CDs come presented in a black and silver inked six panel digipak- which takes in original album artwork, tour posters, and comic book art. Inside we find a glossy twenty-three-page inlay booklet-this features original liner notes, a new write-up, and album artwork.
The original seven track album was recorded in Rockfield Studios in Wales between September and October of 72, been released in November of that year. It saw the band as six piece taking in: Dave Brock – acoustic & electric guitar, vocals, production. Nik Turner – saxophone, flute, vocals. Ian Kilmister( aka Lemmy) – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals. Dik Mik (Michael Davies) – audio generator, electronics. Del Dettmar – synthesizer, production. Simon King – drums.
The album kicks off with it’s longest track the eleven and a half minute “Brainstorm”. With it’s spacy synth weaved-yet gunning pro-metal lead riff, and moments of densely weaved jamming/ freak out. Truly an all-engulfing/ at times dizzyingly heavy opener- which has gone on to influenced/ inform all manner heavy ‘n’ tripped out fare in the ensuing years.
As we move though the album we go from “Lord Of Light” which starts off with just atmospheric reverbing guitar trails, before shifting into a chugging proto-punk/ metal riffing, wailing-to-chanting vocals, and guitar flute freak-outs. Onto the steady stomping punk-blues meets swirling and spacy tone trails of “Time We Left The Earth”- which at points barely hangs together like a demented sonic ritual with it’s chanting vocal, loose guitar/ bass slug ‘n’ doomy chugg, and wayword flute wail. With the album playing out with the Lemmy pended/ sung “The Watcher” with is hazed strum guitars, bass fumble, and clearly stoned vocals. All in all, the albums a stone cold Hawkwind classic, and one of the heavier and spaced-out albums of the 70’s
The first CD takes in the original remastered album- plus four bonus- taking in live single versions, B and A side tracks.
On the second disc we find the new stereo mix of the album by Stephen W Tayler, plus five bonus tracks. The new mix managers to both keep the heaviness and hazy space drift of the album, but also brings out more clarity and depth to the whole- so really the perfectly balance.
It certainly is marvellous to see Doremi Fasol Latido getting this new two-disc presentation- with the excellent new mix, and worthy inlay booklet- it’s a must, whether or not you have the album in another form.