Hawkwind Is Space Rock! With these simple words, the Liberty record company promoted the eponymous debut album of a more or less unknown band in the summer of 1970. Hawkwind was formed in London in 1969 by singer and guitarist Dave Brock, who remained the only constant member of the band over the years. They secured a record deal primarily due to their numerous live performances and their remarkable stage presence. At the time of the recordings in March/April 1970 at London’s Trident Studios, the sextet consisted, alongside Brock, of Huw Lloyd-Langton (g), DikMik Davies (synth), Nick Turner (sax, voc, perc), John A. Harrison (b) and Terry Ollis (dr). The debut album, produced by Dick Taylor (The Pretty Things) and the band, was released in August 1970 with cover art by Clearwater Conceptions.

It offered a comprehensive blend of psychedelic and progressive rock – styles that would only later merge into what became known as space rock in the further course of music history. As a mostly improvisational, free-form freak-out, it is now regarded as the artistic high point of Hawkwind, as it captures the true spirit of this raw and collective musical movement. Due to the band’s later fame, this debut album has been reissued many times. But only the rare English first pressing with the blue Liberty label is a worldwide sought-after collector's item today.