Customer Reviews

Rajaz

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

I have been an avid follower of Andy Latimers work since 1975, and have almost every album from Camel in my collection. Harbour of Tears was a great album, and had all the qualities of the best of Camel's work. So, I couldn't wait to hear the new album and purchased it as soon as it was available.

Having read that Rajazz is based on the poetry recited to the beat of a camels pace as it travels accross the desert, I expected that maybe camels sometimes run - obviously not.

This album did not immediately strike me as being 'great' as many of Latimers other creations have done in the past. I like Camel's expressive musical moods, and the way that Andy's guitar creates emotional feelings - the trade mark of his style. However Rajazz, in my opinion, is lacking in at least one track that would make the pace of the camel increase a little. It's a good album, but all a little bit too slow. Having said all that, Rajazz is growing on me day by day - maybe the camel will run again, after all we all need a rest.

Rajaz, Camel's most recent studio production was appropriately named after the music sung by poets to the rhythm of the camel's footsteps, during caravans across the great deserts. Not in vain does it convey that sort of atmosphere throughout the recording.

There is plenty of moments in the album ('Lost and Found' being one such sample) when the sound of the good, old Camel from the 70s comes to the surface, although the lead guitarrist/vocalist Andrew Latimer has been the only original member of the band to stand the test of time.

Latimer opens the album with the extraordinary instrumental 'Three Wishes' which reminds me a lot of the opening title of Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell" due to its exquisite Gilmour-like quitar sound.

As for the rest of the album, although I do agree with the comments made by most of the reviewers about the comeback of the 70s sound of the band, I have to say that there are also clearly visible influences from some of the more recent works of Camel, such as 1991's "Dust and Dreams" and 1997's "Harbour of Tears".

In general, I highly recommend the album to all serious prog music fans.

Andy Latimer plays electric guitar with more soul than Carlos Santana, and more muscle than David Gilmour. I have never heard a Camel album I didn't like, but a few really stand out as total works of art, and Rajaz is one of them. Especially fine is "Three Wishes", "Lost and Found", "Rajaz", "Straight to My Heart" and "Sahara". My wife and I saw Camel play the "Harbour of Tears" tour in Stuttgart in 1997 - see them live if you ever get the chance. Andy is truly a gifted composer and musician.

I bought this album because reviews said it is a throwback to the early days of the band. Those who believe that know not wherefore they speak. Granted this album captures some of the beauty and mystery of the old days, but it definately speaks of the maturation of a band.
The true reason that one should buy "Rajaz" is to savor the majesty and eloquence of the songs. For me, every Camel album has been a smashing success except for 2 which were boring and mundane. I will not name them for fear of reprisal from fans who think that they are the best thing Camel has done.
As one who believes that Camel is the best band in the annals of music, I must say that what sets this band apart is its' ability to constantly produce a sound which is obviously theirs and yet takes a diferent aproach on every album. No they are not a mainstream band, but they know how to pluck at heart strings and rip a guitar. Their use of keyboards is wizardry, and their treatment of reed instruments a true delight. But what impressed me most on "Rajaz" was the treasure I found after several listenings. The drums and the bass create the stellar focal point which gives this album its life and poise.
Yes, "Rajaz", is a must have for lovers of Camel. It is a must have for everyone.

Symphonic Rockband Camel (read Andy Latimer) seems to be getting better and better over the years.. (wich almost seems impossible concidering their earlier brillaint works)
But Camel amazed me once more, this time with Rajaz.
A combo of excellent and moving, moodfull songs.
This really is "close the blinds, tuen of the light, put the stereo on 12 and sheer enjoy" music.

You could talk about best guitarist ever, but that soon gives me a headache as it's so difficult.
But there are only a few guitarist who play so unique, that you can immidiatly hear that it's David Gilmour, or Steve Rothery..
But in terms of someone that plays the guitar So beautiful and moving. That it goes straight to your heart and soul, and can easily make you cry, I would immidiatly say : Andy Latimer.
No doubt about it. This man deserves an Oscar for the 'way' he plays!

It's a shame that a band like Camel is so unknown, but I personally see it as having a Rembrand in my attick that nobody knows off..

Ps. For the uniniciated.. listen, shiver, buy, listen 100 times more ..and sheer enjoyyyy :)