One record at a time: 499.Adamski - Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy

Sometime in 2025, I picked up the CD single of "Flashback Jack" by Adamski from a charity shop for 50p. I enjoyed it, and when I stumbled across a copy of the parent album, "Doctor Adamski’s Musical Pharmacy", not long after, I couldn’t resist.

Recorded on his trusty Ensoniq SQ80 keyboard, with drums from a Roland TR-909 and a Yamaha RX120, the album captures one of the stars of the embryonic rave scene being pushed into the limelight by a major label. After scoring a huge number-one single six months earlier, Adamski’s second album was always likely to do reasonably well—but its Top 10 chart placing proved that dance music really did have commercial potential.

The massive hit single was, of course, “Killer”, and it felt revolutionary to me back in 1990—I hadn’t really heard anything quite like it before. Seal’s vocal was obviously a big part of the song’s success, but the bassline and drum programming were streets ahead of anything else around at the time. Sadly, I couldn’t afford the CD single when it came out, but my admiration for the track must have been well known as one of the Christmas cards I received that year featured a choirboy doctored to represent Adamski, complete with keyboard rig and an ADAMSKI number plate.

Beyond “Killer”, the album drew some criticism on release for being inconsistent and lacking cohesion. I can’t say I’m surprised: Adamski emerged from a frantic rave scene that was never going to be easily packaged as a neat, conventional pop product.  

So whilst there aren't many other conventional songs on this album, there are plenty of rave tunes to keep you moving. The crusty bass samples on "Eighth House" sound throaty and deep enough to rattle the bass cabinets of any nightclub and the wobbly synth lines of "Future Freak" are irresistible (Adamski must have thought so too as the song is on the album twice). 

Other highlights include the single "Space Jungle" in which Adam channels his inner Elvis. Whilst his vocals are never going to trouble Pavarotti, Adam is more than capable of carrying a melody and their naivety is really endearing. Personally I like this album and think it features some really great ideas. Whilst everything might sound a bit lo-fi and home-made today, it possesses a charm that endures. 3.5/5