Cherry Red Records do a fine line in box sets, and the latest collection on the Esoteric Records imprint takes a look back at the early career of British rockers Cats In Space. Yes, incredibly it is ten years since the Cats landed on the office desk, captivating us from the start with their blend of all the best sort of ’70s music (Queen, ELO, Styx, Sweet, 10cc et al) combined with fresh original songwriting.
Cats In Space – Chapter One – 4CD Boxset
Release Date: 25 July 2025
Words: Liz Medhurst
Cats In Space was originally put together by guitarist Greg Hart as a studio project to scratch a musical itch. He worked with Mick Wilson (10cc) on demos, then recruited Paul Manzi, Steevi Bacon, Dean Howard, Andy Stewart and Jeff Brown, all musicians with impeccable pedigree, to commit an album to tape.
Thanks are due to Dean Howard for pointing out that the songs were too good not to be taken out on the road, and the debut performance took place at The Half Moon Putney.
From here, the records and tours kept coming, with new fans picked up along the way, notably through high-profile support slots with Thunder, Status Quo and Deep Purple.
The very obvious stylistic call-backs to other bands simply did not matter. In a lovely bit of alchemy, they became part of the Cats’ sound, with the talent, originality and ambition of the songs and performance overriding any perceived imitations and then some.
This collection contains the first four albums released, which are no longer available independently in physical format, having long since sold out. They take on a new lease of life with four remastered CDs in a box with a booklet, which includes an informative essay by Rob Evans, and a poster.
We have covered all the albums and associated tours here at MetalTalk at the time of release, and looking back, it is striking to see how the band got into their stride with their sound right from the very start, with all studio albums containing a good handful of essential classics that continue to grace set lists to this day.
Too Many Gods kicked everything off. It’s interesting to hear how the songs have developed over the years. Greatest Story Never Told is now much heavier and more epic live. Bonus tracks here are the original cover of How Does It Feel, with Thunder’s Danny Bowes on co-vocals, a different feel from the track recorded as part of 2024’s Time Machine How Does It Feel.
It is so good to have Scandalous included on this wider release, previously only available on the strictly limited Infinity edition. What a treat to hear those harmony guitars (and vocals) though, packed with a ridiculous number of layers all performed with pinpoint accuracy.
Second album Scarecrow was when we really started to sit up and take notice of how beautifully crafted not just the individual songs, but the album sequencing, artwork, and tour setlists were.
This collection also saw the beginning of the collaboration with artist Andy Kitson, whose pieces have become an integral part of the visuals. This time around, there is an alternate vocal mix of Felix And The Golden Sun alongside an acoustic September Rain.
Cats Alive! is album number three, taken from the desk at their support slot for Thunder at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in 2017. This does a great job of catching the massive energy of the live show and the reception of the audience.
Daytrip To Narnia is the least rocky of the first three albums. There may be a more mainstream approach in place, but there is a cynicism and world-weary attitude in a number of the songs here that give it an edge.
One half is dedicated to that good old ’70s staple, the concept album. However, The Story Of Johnny Rocket manages to stop well short of being naff by being genuinely charming. It also has the distinction of being the original home of fan favourite Thunder In The Night, making an additional appearance here with the 12-inch mix (remember them!) as one of the bonus tracks along with a tasty cover of Communication Breakdown.
We know that in the second chapter of the story, following the departure of Manzi to join the ranks of Sweet, Cats In Space continue to release bigger, more epic albums, with vocalist Damien Edwards proving to be a match made in heaven for the band.
Even if it had all stopped right here, this is still a remarkably good catalogue to have.
For new fans, or anyone who didn’t get around to buying all of the albums the first time around, this purchase is a no-brainer, a bargain price considering everything it is packed with.
Completists are already likely to have picked up the extras, so it is a personal choice if this format is something that adds value to an already premium collection, although there’s always the option to buy one for friends or family members.
All in all, a remarkable Chapter One, and it is hoped that this book is nowhere near written yet.
Cats In Space release Chapter One 4CD Boxset on 25 July 2025 via Esoteric Records. More details are available from here.
With Cats In Space releasing Chapter One 4CD Boxset, a deluxe collection celebrating the band’s first decade, the band are ready for their tenth anniversary celebration tour. Support for the tour are the awesome Empyre.
“For the first time this year, we have finally visited Sweden, plus dates in France and Ireland, and headlining two UK festivals has really turned 2025 into our finest year already,” Greg Hart says. “Our current album, Time Machine, is continuing to sell really well, and now we have the CD box set coming out this July.
“I think this proves, as ever, we are not a band to do anything by half measures!! This 10th anniversary tour has a real buzz about it already, so please get a ticket and come along and join in the celebrations! There sure is a lot to celebrate this year.”
Cats In Space also headline the Nene Valley Festival in Northampton on 5 September 2025 and the NWOCR Festival at KK’s Steel Mill on 28 September 2025. You can also catch the band in France at Raismes Fest on 14 September 2025.
