Few listeners need to dig deeper than a greatest-hits collection for the Ventures, but this early effort is an arguable exception. The group embellished their trademark sleek guitar instrumentals with creepy, then-futuristic production effects, sounding at times like a mix of surf music and the incidental music to Star Trek. The ghostly, Theremin-like sounds on several tracks are actually produced by top session player Red Rhodes on steel guitar. The British instrumental group the Tornados (of "Telstar" fame) did this kind of stuff better, but Ventures in Space is a fun diversion from their usual sound that holds up well. ~ Richie Unterberger
