Record Reviews
18 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | CAMEL ~ BREATHLESS (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2155 (Barcode: 5013929725522) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009
7th album by British Prog legends CamelFind albums by this artist, which marks a transition period in the band´s history, which followed a five years of personnel stability and incredibly productive output, as documented by their albums released during that period. Prior to the recording of this album´s predecessor – "Rain DancesFind albums with this title" – founding member / bassist Doug FergusonFind albums by this artist left the band, leaving the remaining three founding members: keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist in need for replacement. They soon found the incredibly gifted bass player Richard SinclairFind albums by this artist (CaravanFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist) and also added saxophonist / flautist Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist (King CrimsonFind albums by this artist) as a permanent member of the band, making it a quintet for the first time, and this lineup recorded "Rain Dances". However, during the recording of "BreathlessFind albums with this title", Peter Bardens announced, that he´ll be leaving the group, which was a serious blow, considering his enormous input to the group´s creative process. The quintet lineup managed to record the album, with Bardens leaving immediately after. As to the music included on the album; at the time of its release it was considered both by the band´s fans and critics as disappointing and way too "commercial" in comparison to the band´s earlier efforts. In retrospect, although different indeed, it still preserves an incredibly high musical standard and integrity, both on the compositional and performance level, and suggests that it was rather the fans, who disliked change, then the band, which propagated change, which caused the fracture. There is no doubt that this album belongs to the proud heritage of music left to us by one of the best British Prog bands in the genre´s history. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2158 (Barcode: 5013929725829) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2009
8th album by British Prog legends CamelFind albums by this artist, which marks a transition period in the band´s history, which followed a five years of personnel stability and incredibly productive output, as documented by their albums released during that period. Following the departure of founding member / keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist soon after recording this album´s predecessor – "BreathlessFind albums with this title" – the remaining two founding members: guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist recruited three new members to complete the new lineup: bass player Colin BassFind albums by this artist (Steve HillageFind albums by this artist), keyboardist Jan SchelhaasFind albums by this artist (CaravanFind albums by this artist) and American keyboardist Kit WatkinsFind albums by this artist (Happy The ManFind albums by this artist). The new quintet lineup recorded this album, with a guest appearance by Phil CollinsFind albums by this artist (GenesisFind albums by this artist) on one track. As to the music included on the album; although more consistent and ambitious than it´s predecessor, at the time of its release it was considered both by the band´s fans and critics as disappointing and way too "commercial" in comparison to the band´s earlier efforts. In retrospect, although different indeed, it still preserves an incredibly high musical standard and integrity, both on the compositional and performance level, and suggests that it was rather the fans, who disliked change, then the band, which propagated change, which caused the fracture. There is no doubt that this album belongs to the proud heritage of music left to us by one of the best British Prog bands in the genre´s history. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ MIRAGE (EXPANDED EDITION)
DERAM 882929 (Barcode: 042288292920) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2002
2nd album by this great band. Camel`s debut album was so strong that the following one was a real challenge to match and even improve upon it, but Bardens and Latimer managed to come up with yet another masterpiece. Full of great melodies and exceptional playing, this is a real delight.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ MOONMADNESS (DELUXE EDITION)
DECCA 5316187 (Barcode: 600753161876) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2009
Following the brilliant "The Snow GooseFind albums with this title" album, CamelFind albums by this artist´s 4th album proved to be another masterpiece, considered by many to be the absolute highlight of their entire career. Although not a concept album as such, the individual songs have a loose conceptual underling and the musical unity is truly remarkable. The material, written as usual by keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist and guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist, is wonderfully coherent, melodic and highly emotional, with ample space for extended instrumental passages. Bassist Doug FergusonFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist support the two soloists with taste and passion and the album immediately achieved the status of a timeless classic. As with all works of substance, in retrospect the music still sounds uplifting and inspiring 34 years later with no trace of getting outdated. This new edition adds bonus material and a whole second CD with live recording. Simply outstanding and an essential piece of music history!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Slipcase Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ MOONMADNESS (EXPANDED EDITION)
DECCA 882931 (Barcode: 042288293125) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2002
4th album, considered by many as the best of their alltogether excellent output. On this one the band reaches the peak of their artistic level, both as composers and performers. Long, slightly jazzy, instrumental passages and adventurous twisting of melodies are the familiar trademarks.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ STATIONARY TRAVELLER
ESOTERIC 2154 (Barcode: 5013929725423) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1984 Released: 2009
By the time the legendary British Prog group CamelFind albums by this artist recorded this, their their 11th album and last studio album by the original band, guitarist / composer Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist remained as the only founding member of the band. He used various musicians to record this album, including saxophonist Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist. The album is a concept project about the Cold War and was the last studio album the band recorded for the DeccaFind albums on this label label. In retrospect the album presents a set of splendid compositions, partly with vocals and partly instrumentals, which are well in par with the rest of band´s excellent legacy. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ THE SINGLE FACTOR (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2156 (Barcode: 5013929725621) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1982 Released: 2009
10th album by British Prog legends CamelFind albums by this artist, which marks a transition period in the band´s history, which followed a five years of personnel stability and incredibly productive output, as documented by their albums released during that period. Following the departure of founding member / keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist soon after recording the album "BreathlessFind albums with this title", the remaining two founding members: guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist (who could not participate in the recording of this album due to injury) recruited various session musicians like bassist David PattonFind albums by this artist and drummer Graham JarvisFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians also participated, like guitarist Anthony PhillipsFind albums by this artist, drummer Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist, former Camel member keyboardist Peter Bardens and keyboardist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. As to the music included on the album; at the time of its release it was considered both by the band´s fans and critics as disappointing and way too "commercial" in comparison to the band´s earlier efforts. In retrospect, although different indeed, it still preserves an incredibly high musical standard and integrity, both on the compositional and performance level, and suggests that it was rather the fans, who disliked change, then the band, which propagated change, which caused the fracture. There is no doubt that this album belongs to the proud heritage of music left to us by one of the best British Prog bands in the genre´s history. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ THE SNOW GOOSE (DELUXE EDITION)
DECCA 5314614 (Barcode: 600753146149) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2009
One of the most impressive Prog concept albums of all times, CamelFind albums by this artist´s 3rd album remains a beacon shading its light up to this very day upon the desolated shores of today´s music. Brilliantly composed, orchestrated and performed, this subtle music symbolizes everything that was the great musical eruption, which happened in the early 1970s. Completely disregarding any commercial influences, the band and mainly the two members, who composed this magnificent music, keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist and guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist showed that music has no boundaries and ambition and talent are rewarded in the long run. Bassist Doug FergusonFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist support the two soloists with taste and passion and the entire piece immediately achieved the status of a timeless classic. As with all works of substance, in retrospect the music still sounds uplifting and inspiring 34 years later with no trace of getting outdated. This new edition adds bonus material and a whole second CD with live recordings done for the BBC, an endless source of historic material. Simply outstanding and an essential piece of music history!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Slipcase Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CAMEL ~ THE SNOW GOOSE (EXPANDED EDITION)
DECCA 882930 (Barcode: 042288293026) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2002
3rd album, which brought CamelFind albums by this artist to the attention of a much wider audiences, as this beautiful music was very well received by listeners far beyond the "strict" Prog cycles. The group plays exquisitly well and the dreamy melodies of this instrumental album are simply heartworming. The orchestral arrangements are also very well done and are an excellent example of inter-genre cooperation.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | OSIRIS ~ MYTHS & LEGENDS
MUSEA 4161 (Barcode: 3426300041616) ~ BAHRAIN ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1984 - 1985 Released: 1995
2nd album by the Prog band OsirisFind albums by this artist from Bahrain, a tiny country in the Persian Gulf, which normally is not associated with any Prog activity. Following the release of their debut eponymous album, the band led by brothers Mohamed Al-SadeqiFind albums by this artist (guitars and vocals) and Nabil Al-SadeqiFind albums by this artist (drums) regrouped with new members and recorded this album as a great follow up to their debut. The music is again classic Symphonic Prog, with beautiful melodies and long instrumental passages. The vocals (in English) are sparse and the emphasis is on the instrumental performances. Firmly based on the tradition set up by classic 1970s bands like GenesisFind albums by this artist and CamelFind albums by this artist, the music is completely original and well-developed, with the usual multi-thematic long compositions and frequent tempo changes. This album aged well and is completely relevant today, losing none of its original charm. Highly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ BAJA PROG – LIVE IN MEXICO `99 (LIMITED EDITION)
ROCK SERWIS 103 (Barcode: 5907729910328) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1999 Released: 2006
3rd album by Polish Prog band QuidamFind albums by this artist recorded live during the annual Baja Prog festival in Mexicali, Mexico. Quidam are not only the best Prog group in their country since the mid-1990s, but also one of the best bands worldwide. They play modern Prog at its best: vibrant, complex, improvised and deeply melodic. Fronted by the amazing female vocalist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist, who sings both in Polish and English, and including some amazing instrumentalists, they have little competition when it comes to creating memorable and moving melodies and stellar performances. Obviously the opportunity to perform live removes many of the constraints and limitations of the “serious” studio situation and the bands expands their material here to pay tribute to their many influences. Note the legendary guitar solo from the GenesisFind albums by this artist’ “Firth Of Fifth”, quotes from CamelFind albums by this artist’s “Snow Goose” or their incredible version of Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist’s “Child In Time” – each and every one of these performances being truly breathtaking. Derkowska sticks to Polish vocals during the concert, which is for the best. The companion DVD presents most of the material from the audio CD and a few additional songs heard (and seen) here for the first time, as well as a short documentary about the band’s stay in Mexico. This beautiful new edition includes both the CD and DVD in an exquisite mini-sleeve packaging.
| | | CD+DVD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SAVANA ~ SAVANA
GAD 033 (Barcode: 5901549197419) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1984 Released: 2015
This is a reissue of the only album by the obscure and short-lived Polish Prog band SavanaFind albums by this artist, released originally on the small independent ArstonFind albums on this label label in 1984. The band was co-founded and co-led by vocalist Marek TomaszewskiFind albums by this artist and guitarist Krzysztof JarkowskiFind albums by this artist, who were joined by bassist Wieslaw CybulskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Andrzej KalskiFind albums by this artist. Tomaszewski and Jarkowski wrote all the songs (music and lyrics in English). Tomaszewski, who grew up in Egypt, spoke English fluently and was the only vocalist on the Polish Rock scene who did not have a foreign accent. This is the first time this material is released on CD and this edition is expanded with the addition of two previously unreleased tracks, which have lyrics in Polish.
The music is typical melodic Prog, which flourished in UK a decade earlier, sounding a bit similar to GenesisFind albums by this artist, CamelFind albums by this artist and countless others. Prog arrived on the Polish scene a bit late but every bit as strong musically as those earlier efforts by the Symphonic Prog pioneers. Great solo guitar parts and a solid rhythm section, all those in addition to the impressive vocals make Savana sound like an enigmatic British Prog band. There is not much innovation here, but whatever they offer here is certainly as good as most Prog produced on the other side of the Iron Curtain.
Listeners and collectors following East European Prog will find this little gem absolutely irresistible, especially in view of its anonymity. As usual we owe the opportunity to be able to rediscover this music to the superb work done by GADFind albums on this label Records, which is a true treasure chest as far as unearthed forgotten gems are concerned. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 24/02/2016Posted: 24/02/2016 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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