Space 1999 - Year Two - Original Televsion Soundtrack

Space 1999 - Year Two - Original Televsion Soundtrack

Tracklist:

SIDE A
1 Space: 1999 Year 2 Main Theme
2 Strange Light
3 Rendezvous in Space
4 The Death of Psychon
SIDE B
1 We're All Aliens
2 Swarm of Space Bees
3 The First Capsule
4 A Kiss for Helena/The Power Room
5 Return to Golos
6 Make Me a Pretty Nose
SIDE C
1 The Garden of Vega
2 Seduction
3 SS Emporium
4 Transaction Complete
SIDE D
1 Light Years Away
2 Space Animal on the Loose
3 Showdown at Copernicus
4 Space: 1999 End Titles

The latest release in the series exploring the musical worlds of Gerry Anderson is the most extensive yet. Space: 1999 ran for two series from 1976 to 1977 and depicted the occupants of Moonbase Alpha and their struggle for survival when, after the explosion of a nuclear waste dump, the Moon is hurtled into space.

The series was the most expensive produced for British television at that time and the most musically diverse of all the shows made by Anderson for ITC. Gerry Anderson’s long-time musical partner in all the previous adventures was Barry Gray and Space: 1999 proved to be the last of their collaborations.

Uncut Magazine referred to Series 1 music as “Pink Floyd without the mythology”. The first recording session for Space: 1999 took place on December 11th 1973 with a 52-piece orchestra performing the opening and closing title music. For the series’ incidental music between 32 and 38 instruments were utilised at any one session, all conducted by Barry Gray. The selections from Year 1 show Gray’s skills in creating a memorable opening theme as well as dramatically evocative cues highlighting the plight of the Alphans as they became known. The Year 1 album also showcases a selection of library cues which featured throughout the series.

For Series 2, composer Derek Wadsworth took over the reins to provide a more contemporary sound. 

The Year 2 album contains Wadsworth’s score, specially selected cues to provide a driving and exciting narrative to convey the new adventures. Record Collector perfectly describes it as “classic 1976 period stuff: fast, furious and occasionally over the top in a dramatic way; nicely atmospheric for Sci-Fi and a touch funky every now and again.” 

Derek Wadsworth enjoyed a long and successful career as a composer, trombonist and session musician. For over half-a-century he played, arranged, and conducted for some of the biggest names in music including Dusty Springfield, George Harrison, Judy Garland, Dionne Warwick and many more.