This 2LP RSD release seems to have gone under the radar. It came out in 2018 and copies are still very, very affordable: https://www.discogs.com/release/11891499-Hawkwind-Dark-Matter-The-Alternative-Liberty-UA-Years-1970-1974-.
I got my copy sealed/new for USD $16 plus shipping. One hell of a deal, and unlike most modern vinyl it's pretty high quality. Thick 180gram records on black vinyl and a nice, actually tasteful packaging...though there are a ton of spelling/grammar errors in the liner notes (credited to Nigel Reeve), to a humorous extent. Sound quality is very good with nice bass and overall mix. Surely it's of digital origin, like most modern vinyl, but doesn't sound bad at all.
This is a compilation of outtakes from 1970-1974 and the first time any of these particular versions have been on vinyl. (Originally they were released on limited CD comp "Parallel Universe" several years ago.) But forget the "outtake" nature; this could be one of the best Hawkwind releases ever.
Disc 1 Side 1 is super cool. Outtakes from the first album and I like most of the stuff here better than what made it on the actual album -- the "original 1970 version" of "You Know You're Only Dreaming" is my favorite track on the entire comp. It's basically krautrock!
Disc 1 Side 2 gets into "X In Search of Space" and "Doremi" territory. "Hog Farm" is a pretty cool slice of druggy instro psych rock, but according to the notes the band wasn't happy with it and never even bothered mixing down the two takes (which is what has been done here on "Dark Matter"). I also love the alternative vocal mix of "Seven By Seven."
Disc 2 Side 1 is notable for having the full-length version of "Brainbox Pollution," which will probably be a draw for most, but to tell the truth I prefer the other song on this side, "Take What You Can." Another never-mixed song from the "Doremi" sessions, this one has a couple verses and choruses before heading into outer space.
Disc 2 Side 2 is from '74 and features the studio version of "It's So Easy," as well as an "alternative version" of "Wind Of Change" that's almost like a lost Pink Floyd cut, at least in the Gilmourian guitar.
Unlike vintage comp "Roadhawks" (which I'm happy to own on the original UK vinyl -- without the poster, though!) this compilation is not sequenced like an album in itself, save for Side 1 of Disc 1, in which the spacey instrumental "The Reason Is" segues into "Be Yourself."
Anyway, I see a lot of Hawkwind reviews here on Unsung, so I imagine a lot of you would really like this one. Highly recommended!
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