Uranus Space Club - Space Pleasures
Self-released - 2025
Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock
Rated: *****
A rock band without guitars? Using keys and saxophone as the lead instruments? Poland's own galactic travelers Uranus Space Club dare to take that route. Not only to show that it's possible, but also to prove it can be a really heavy affair. They already surprised the rock world with their 2021 debut 'Another Planet, Another Love'. That was obviously - or at least partially - a tongue in cheek reference to the rock and roll tour cliché true rock stars (ahum) have a different love in every town they come across, just displayed on a grander scale, because, well, these four stellar musicians aren't limiting themselves to planet earth to win over new souls and partake in the very important scientific research of testing how much weight and pressure each combination of mattress and slatted frame can handle during different positions and activities, relative to the amount of people involved in said activities.
That's basically what it comes down to. Space exploration in its purest form while keeping both feet firmly on the ground - one eye closed for drifting off in concentration mode and the other half open to catch glimpses of the jazz greats that came before them. This rocks, funks, breaks and shakes in total freedom. On 'Children of the Spice' for example, the saxophone and keys are engaged in an expressive, sensual dance, swirling around each other endlessly, carried by a foundation of distorted bass and heavy drumming with a hot, steaming jazz theme enhancing it even further. And before you think, why are you reviewing this album for Stoner HiVe?, let me clarify that Uranus Space Club rocks big time no matter what they do or which exit they take on the highway from here to the outer regions of the galaxy. To make sure you get it, song titles like 'Funk Sabbath' and 'Lo-Pan's Bong' leave no doubt where part of their inspiration comes from, even if you have to dig deep sometimes to uncover them. The second half of 'Sizzling Grooves' is such a moment when the bass lays down that typical doom-laden, head-nodding Birmingham groove that comes into full fruition when the bass and keys counter-join the melody. And the aforementioned 'Funk Sabbath' is exactly what it pretends to be: a perfect morphing of funk and stoner/doom. Furthermore you gotta dig the sax introduction to 'Lo Pan's Bong' before it settles into a swinging groove the source of inspiration for the title is so well-known for, even though Uranus Space Club gives it - as expected - their own, almost unrecognizable little twist. And to close the circle on how this review started: one song is called 'The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress'. It's a brooding, slightly discomforting track that at times has got contrasting speeds happening at the same time with the drums playing a jazzy pattern, the bass settling into a sped-up funky bass line and the keys and saxophone playing some drawn-out notes and melodies. At other times it creates a smooth, soothing atmosphere picturing attempts at engaging in extraterrestrial lovemaking with moons and stars alike. A constant fight before the weird and wonderful madness of 'VoidRacerz 2137' warps you to the future with a showcase of power and a rush of adrenaline with fast and complex sonic wizardry and a sheer wonderful ending to match (in Uranus Space Club's book anyway). It makes 'Space Pleasures' not only a pleasure to listen to and a joy to travel along with, but also an absolute masterpiece of progressive instrumental space rock.
(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)
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