The Ventures In Space

...by Duke

emember those 331/3 LP discs that used to populate the record shops? You know, the cool, grooved 12" pancakes that slid neatly into lavishly decorated cardboard jackets? Yup, the real enchilada, the bona fide article. It's only fitting that a review of The Ventures In Space album be based upon a genuine, original Ventures 331/3 LP album. No CD here, just good old turntable and needle action.

Released by Dolton in 1964, I purchased this album when it first hit the record stores and have owned it ever since that time. Although it's been played countless times, it still delivers the goods.

Below is a track listing for each side. Notice that Side 1 and Side 2 both have six tracks. Keep that in mind. There was a later Ventures In Space album, released by a different label, that comes up short in the tracks department. Three of the original twelve cuts are missing – He Never Came Back (Side 1), Love Goddess Of Venus (Side 2) and The Fourth Dimension (Side 2).

Side 1 - Dolton Records - 1964
Out Of Limits	M. Z. Gordon	2:10
He Never Came Back	Bogle-Wilson-Edwards-Taylor	2:03
Moon Child	J. Whecter-C. Wechter	2:03
Fear (One Step Beyond)	H. Lubin	2:20
Exploration In Terror	Bogle-Wilson-Edwards	2:10
War Of The Satellites	D, Hamilton	1:55
Side 2 - Dolton Records - 1964
The Bat	L. Forbes	2:10
Penetration	S. Leonard	2:06
Love Goddess Of Venus	D, Wilson	2:30
Solar Race	Bogle-Wilson-Edwards	2:30
The Fourth Dimension	Wadsworth-Hodge	2:13
The Twilight Zone	M. Manning	2:34

The Ventures In Space (Dolton 1964) is truly a great album. I've never tired of listening to it, even after nearly 50 years. The production quality is excellent, the sound effects are right on target and The Ventures' arrangements and musicianship are superb. From the first cut to the last, The Ventures whisk you away on an interstellar musical voyage. The depth of their creativity is clearly evident as they offer mood-altering ear candy served up in two-minute portions. Everything from ethereal sub-light intoxica to warp drive anxiety and deep space eeriness flows from this 12" circular object.

This benchmark recording just has to be heard. If you enjoy space rock, or just about any rock, you'll love this album.