1999 album by this excellent British prog band featuring Andrew Latimer, Colin Bass and Dave Stewart plus a guest appearance from Kayak's Ton Scherpenzeel. Eight
1999 album by this excellent British prog band featuring Andrew Latimer, Colin Bass and Dave Stewart plus a guest appearance from Kayak's Ton Scherpenzeel. Eight
CD Reviews
Andy Goes Back to an earlier camel
Vini G. Diliddo | Gloucester, MA USA | 12/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For any early Camel fans, when you listen to Rajaz' for the first time you will immediately get a sense of belonging. Andy's early 'Mirage' sound can be heard from the start. This album is a bit of a throwback with a Sahara theme wrapped around it. Colin Bass is background only, no vocals. Andy does all the voc's on this one. Drums are as tight as you would expect from Dave Stewart. Ton Scherpenzeel returns but is not as out front as you would expect, and thats too bad... Just when I think I'm bored by this medium paced musical artwork, I find I can still listen and begin liking other different parts. Overall this effort is as versatile as you would expect from a guitar genius like Andy. His signature sound at times is awesome!"
Latimer does it again!
Robert K. Sischka | Flagstaff, AZ USA | 03/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Andy Latimer has done it again. As an original fan of Camel, I was excited to hear Dust & Dreams, a return to form for a band that had seemingly begun to lose it's luster. Harbour of Tears was an interesting effort and now Rajaz....with classic Camel licks and a brilliant sense of creating a mood with lyrics, thanks to Latimer's collaboration with Susan Hoover (who has helped out since Dust & Dreams). Ton Sherpenzeel, a founding member of Kayak, is back playing keyboards, and plays in such a fashion that Peter Bardens (an original founding member and keyboard player in the 70's) is not missed. This is a CD that sounds good on first listen and then grows on you! If you are a Camel fan, this is a must have. If not, this is a great place to start listening to one of the true classic 'progressive' rock bands that has not lost a bit of it's luster! But beware, the studio albums are only a primer for the real Camel, a true live band that leaves a smile in your heart and soul every time you see them perform on stage! Get this CD, then watch for the tour to support it, go, and be amazed!"
"One Of Camel's Best Works"
Kid Byron | Third Stone From the Sun | 08/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Camel and own just about every recording in their expansive catalogue and I would have to say that Rajaz is right up there for me in terms of pure listening enjoyment with their other better known works like "Snow Goose", "Mirage" and "Moonmadness" Trippy atmospheric music which transports the listener right into the heart of the Sahara desert (at least in their minds) and is truly moving and timeless. Excellent choice and highly recommended for both fans of Camel and for people who just want to listen to relaxing and thoughtful music."
Andy Latimer is a genuis
mobby_uk | London United Kingdom | 05/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Camel and Andy Latimer score again with a masterpiece called Rajaz, which is one of their best releases with beautiful melodies and great guitar work, and with first rate musicians that understand and complement Latimer's musical vision, among them the excellent Ton Sherpenzeel on keys, himself the talented prog rock ex maestro of Dutch band Kayak.
But I have to disagree with other reviewers who thought this is a throwback to earlier Camel. In my opinion, it is a continuation of their prog symphonic revival that was clearly audible in Dust and Dreams, and reinforced in Harbour of Tears.
It seems setting up their own production company, has given Andy Latimer and Camel the freedom to compose and produce music with dignity and vision.Prog rock has always had a bad press in England, strangely in the country that produced the best prog bands ever (Camel, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Porcupine Tree etc...) The genre has always been looked down upon by the music press and the industry as pompus,and self indulgent, stifling in the process some great talent, and bands especially in the prog hell of the eighties, had to reshape their sound as a result. Camel and Andy Latimer thankfully refused to compromise on their vision and personal musical expression, and the result culminated in Rajaz.It is a beautiful symphonic work, full of soul that speaks to the mind and heart. The listener is not transported to an earlier time, but given a music that transcends time. Rajaz I believe IS the sound of Camel,(save from the jazzy Rain Dances period,the influence of the sadly missed and great Pete Bardens. Rajaz is not different in its emotions and structure to Snow Goose,Moonmadness period, but with new modern feel.It is thanks to genuine music lovers and the genuis of Andy Latimer that Rajaz saw the light of day, and it is this combination hopefully that would see other similar albums for the enjoyment of all.
If you are a die hard Camel fan you will rejoice at this latest release. If you are a prog fan, you will be pleasently surprised by how albums such as Rajaz can still be made, and if you are a music fan, whether rock or classical you should buy this album, to add to your collection of beautiful music that ages like the finest of wine."
Another great album from Camel
mobby_uk | 11/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"after 3 years waiting finally a new album from Camel, wow it's great. in my opinion RAJAZ is a Must for every camel's fan or totally anyone interested in progressive rock music. by hearing this album u will be taken back to the old years of camel. i wish that there were some tracks with colin's vocals and more flute works, the sound of a guitars is full of passion specially in SAHARA, again andy express his feeling through his old Red guitar!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1