DUST AND DREAMS

After a period of mediocre, lacklustre albums (1978-84) and contractual hassles (1985-90), Andrew Latimer came back with not only his own Camel productions, but also with a very fine, kind of back-to-roots, CD that redeemed him of his latest releases in a time everyone thought Camel was a complete washed up band. It was a nice surprise indeed and opened the way for a string of excellent releases he would eventually put out in the next years.

Dust And Dreams is a concept album that shows Latimer (the only original member left) back in form, playing his trademark beautiful guitar licks and leaving behind the horrible 80´s pop attempts of that decade. Ok, a couple of songs do sound like an Alan Parsons pastiche (Mother Road being the obvious one), but most of the time the music is fine, prog rock tunes with great, emotional guitar, dreamy keyboards landscapes, convincing vocals and fine rhythm section, Dust And Dreams is a CD that grows on you with each listening, It is very emotional and inspired, so it´s easy to enjoy from start to finish.

Production is very good and he is backed by an outstanding team of musicians that includes the faithful Calin Bass and legendary keyboardsman Tom Scherpenzeel (Kayak).

Conclusion: not really a masterpiece like The SnowGoose Or Moonmadness, but a great comeback anyway. And Camel´s best work in more than 13 years. My final rating is something between 3,5 and 4 stars. Recommended, specially to the ones that lost any hope that this band could cut it after Stationary Traveller..