Space-Electronica

Just as science fiction in film and literature matured rapidly during the Space Age, so did space-themed music. Movie soundtracks of the 1960s, such as Forbidden Planet and The Day the Earth Stood Still, prompted wider use of the theremin and other electronic instruments and sounds. Nearly all of the great space albums emerged in this period: works by the Electrosoniks (the first modern, best, and hippest of all electronic/pop-space artists), Frank Comstock, and John Keating. Richard Marino and Dick Hyman with Mary Mayo developed use of the abstract, ethereal, female vocals previously associated with terrestrial exotica. Even our man in Bermuda, Stan Seymour, had something to say about "Woman in Space."

With the exception of quadrophonic sound, musical space was conquered by the early 1970s. John Keating's glorious Space Experience revels in its post-2001 knowledge of space, synthesizers, and mankind. Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move" launches a blast through the stratosphere. Other, equally unlikely hits are combusted in tandem with such spectacular compositions as "The Unknown Planet" and "Space Agent." This is the final frontier on the pop side. In "out" jazz, Sun Ra's incredible Space is the Place on Blue Thumb is the sound of space madness, while Jack McDuff's Moon Rappin' is a space-themed, soul-jazz groover. Space is also the place in Freddie McCoy's cover of "Light My Fire."

The "sounds of space" have even been harnessed naturally on earth rather than recorded on location or invented using machines. The "Wind Harp" is a homemade instrument about 20' tall constructed by hippies and recorded in the early 1970s. The colossal sculpture yields the absolute eeriest sounds (scarier even than horror and space music performed on synthesizer) and is featured on a wonderfully terrifying double album.

Buying: The best space LPs are from the hipper mid-1960s-and-later period. Production (sound-library) LPs are a great source for more of the same sounds.