The debut album by London-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and NTS Radio host Nala Sinephro intertwines spiritual jazz and ambient music, melding acoustic and electronic instruments to create meditative pieces that explore inner space while pondering the possibilities of the future. Sinephro performs pedal harp and modular synthesizers, and she's joined by several notable musicians, including saxophonists Nubya Garcia, Ahnansé, and James Mollison, drummers Jake Long, and Eddie Hick, bassists Rudi Creswick and Twm Dylan, and others. The gentle, collage-like opener blooms with the sounds of chirping birds serving as a backdrop for Sinephro's graceful harp and illuminating synths. Following the dusky, comforting "Space 2," the musicians briefly kick into overdrive with the momentary rocket burst "Space 3," which feels like the beginning of a jazzy drum'n'bass crossover but caps that bit of excitement before developing further. "Space 6" is more intense, with an unsteady, angular rhythm and buzzing, bassy synths that erupt into mesmerizing waves. Concluding the album is "Space 8," a 17-minute celestial jazz epic that suspends Ahnansé's warm, wistful saxophone playing inside an ethereal glow, gradually encircled by spiralling echoes. Both a reflective sound bath and an ecstatic celebration of creative freedom, Space 1.8 is a singular, eye-opening debut. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi

1		Space 1
2		Space 2
3		Space 3
4		Space 4
5		Space 5
6		Space 6
7		Space 7
8		Space 8