Night Air

Not finding himself busy enough on rejoining Hawkwind in 1979, fleet-fingered lead guitarist Huw Lloyd Langton wasted little time forming his own side band (logically named after himself). This stripped-down yet sleek affair typifies the group's early-'80s output, which finds Langton stepping into the frontman role and carrying the musical load, too (a logical enough expectation for someone leading a trio). Langton and his wife, Marion, share responsibility for lyrics, which cast a critical gleam on urban ills ("Diseased Society") and technology's use to keep tabs on people "Got Your Number," which he later re-cut for his 1998 Swedish-only album On the Move. Both songs could slot comfortably onto any Hawkwind album; so could the moody, mid-tempo title cut, which pays tribute to the power of natural forces, another classic Hawkwind topic. Langton's smoldering guitar breaks, which are often reminiscent of the classic '60s guitarist Hank Marvin, get plenty of space on the brooding "Candle Burning" and "Alien Jiggers," while "Fur Kirsty" is a graceful acoustic instrumental tribute to his daughter. While his solo albums On the Move and Chain Reaction are arguably more definitive showcases for Langton's playing and songwriting, this album might give non-initiates a good snapshot of his abilities in both arenas.