Lunar Asylum – Lost In Space / Sea Of Tranquility

Lunar Asylum (Paul Greendale, Chris Stevenson, and “Simmons”) made their debut on the obscure vinyl-only Sirius Records in 1995. Influenced by acid trance as much as the Goa sound, Lunar Asylum went on to release a string of singles on Transient, Psychic Deli, and Celtic before producing a self-titled full-length album for Phantasm Records in 1998. A typical British act, Lunar Asylum can be counted amongst the likes of Cosmosis, the Green Nuns Of The Revolution, Shakta, Multiplex, and Doof. This particular vinyl single is the last substantial release from Sirius, which soon went under. Lunar Asylum, on the other hand, were just about ready to break into the UK trance scene.

Lost In Space combines wobbling analog bass lines with energetic rhythms and enchanting melodies. The progression of notes flows with preternatural ease, developing into a cosmic whirlwind as the multi-layered synth-lines coalesce. With a steady arrangement ideal for the dance floor, I would imagine this must have been considered dependable by British DJs back when it was new. Although Lunar Asylum break no new ground with this tune, it serves as an exemplary representative of the UK Goa trance style. Very nice.

Sea Of Tranquility has slightly less going for it. Pitched up, stripped of convincing melodies, and arranged in a straight-forward upward build, this track is not built with the same kind of care as the A-side. Hard snare rolls punctuate near-random sequences with aggressive intent, but without any sort of conscientious melodic progression, this feels like a very dated piece of UK acid techno.

Lost In Space is the one to focus on here; it is something of a lost classic of acid-charged UK Goa trance. Sea Of Tranquility was never released on CD, which is just as well—but Lost In Space is available on the somewhat obscure double-CD collection The Beginners Guide To The Galaxy Of Psi-Trance. Despite the weak B-side, this rare single may be of interest to old school collectors with a fondness for the British sound.