NUDE

After a few competent but uninspired albums, Camel put together a new line up and returned to top form with another really excellent concept album based on the story of the soldier "who fought the longest war". Hiroo Onoda (hence "Nude") was a Japanese soldier (hence the cover) who hid out an island in the Philippines and refused to surrender for 30 years. Camel tell his story from drafting to his final disappearance (though some aspects do deviates from the truth). The musicianship is typically brilliant, the music is beautifully composed and the whole thing hangs together perfectly, most of the tracks blending seamlessly into each other. Mel Collins and Duncan Mackay add melodies and some fine solos to complement Andy Latimer's magnificent guitar and flute playing and bassist Colin Bass conjures up some fine bass lines. Andy Ward's drumming is inventive and technical, but sadly he suffered a "serious hand injury" shortly afterwards which practically finished his career (actually a suicide attempt which (thankfully) failed!). Hard to pick a standout track; perhaps Captured rises slightly above the general standard of excellence but there isn't a bad moment anywhere. Definitely an absolute must have and indisputably a 5 star album.