Heralded as one of the defining moments in British modern jazz, the Don Rendell Quintet’s 1972 recording Space Walk returns to the spotlight, reaffirming its place as a stunning document of both bold creativity and refined craftsmanship. Saxophonist Don Rendell, already celebrated for his collaborations with Ian Carr in the groundbreaking Rendell/Carr Quintet, took a daring step forward with this album. *Space Walk* captures a group at a creative peak, fusing modal explorations, post-bop energy, and a distinctly British sensibility that set it apart from the American jazz canon of the era.  

The quintet—featuring Peter Shade (vibraphone and flute), Stan Robinson (tenor saxophone and flute), Jack Thorncroft (bass), and Trevor Tomkins (drums)—creates a sound world that is as atmospheric as it is rhythmically compelling. The title track, with its cosmic textures, suggests new dimensions of jazz expression, while the accompanying compositions showcase Rendell’s lyrical command on soprano and tenor saxophones.  

Critically acclaimed at its release yet long overlooked, Space Walk has since become a coveted treasure among collectors and enthusiasts, praised for its forward-thinking spirit and its intricate interplay. The music feels both timeless and adventurous, bridging the exploratory energies of the late 1960s with the polished elegance of the early 1970s.  Now, with renewed availability, jazz audiences worldwide have the chance to experience—or re-experience—one of the most sophisticated and visionary works in Don Rendell’s legacy. Space Walk is not merely an album: it is a journey, one that mirrors an era of exploration while sounding perpetually fresh and inspiring.