Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their self-titled debut album Camel A 32-disc super deluxe box set ‘Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984’
5th October 2023Four of their most revered albums remastered on coloured and black vinyl – ‘Camel’, ‘The Snow Goose’, Moonmadness’ and Nude’
All to be released 24 November 2023
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Camel’s self-titled debut album, ‘Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984’ is a 32-disc super deluxe boxed set of every Camel album and single issued between 1973 and 1984. The set also contains previously unreleased material, Blu-rays and a lavishly illustrated book with essays and a poster.
In addition, four of the band’s most iconic albums will be released as separate remastered coloured and black vinyl. Their 1973 self-titled debut ‘Camel’, their third and fourth albums were released in 1975 and 1976 respectively ‘The Snow Goose’ and ‘Moonmadness’ and in 1981 released ‘Nude’.
The definitive tribute to Camel – one of progressive rock’s uncompromising innovators – ‘Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984’ and the four vinyl remasters are released on 24 November and are available to pre-order now from here.
‘Air Born: The MCA & Decca Years 1973-1984’ features newly remastered versions of every Camel album and single issued between 1973 and 1984.
There are new mixes of three concerts – The Marquee Club London 1974, Hammersmith Odeon 1976 and Hammersmith Odeon 1977 (by Stephen W Tayler). Previously unreleased out-takes from album recording sessions and BBC Radio ‘In Concert’ appearances from 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1981.
The set also contains five Blu-ray discs. Three contained new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound versions of the albums ‘Camel’, ‘Mirage’, ‘Music Inspired by The Snow Goose’, ‘Moonmadness’ and ‘Nude’ by Stephen W Tayler. One is a collection of promotional videos and BBC TV appearances on ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ and ‘Sight and Sound In Concert’ and the fifth Blu-ray is a live performance video of the 1984 concert film ‘Pressure Points’.
Bringing the whole set together is a lavishly illustrated book with an essay by Mark Powell and a poster.
About the four vinyl releases:
Released in February 1973 on MCA Records, ‘Camel’ is the band’s debut album and one of their most iconic. This will be released as a stand-alone remastered LP on standard black vinyl and direct to fans on coloured vinyl.
‘The Snow Goose’ is their third studio album originally released in 1975. The critical success of ‘The White Rider’ suite (based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and appearing on the band’s previous 1974 album, ‘Mirage’) inspired the group to write more novel-inspired conceptual suites. This remaster from the original tapes is pressed on black vinyl and direct to fans on coloured vinyl.
‘Moonmadness’, their fourth studio album was released in March 1976 and is their last album recorded by the group’s original line-up of Andrew Latimer, Peter Bardens (Dec. 2002), Doug Ferguson and Andy Ward. Moonmadness has a loose concept with one track based on the personality of each band member: ‘Air Born’ for Andrew Latimer, ‘Chord Change’ for Peter Bardens, ‘Another Night’ for Doug Ferguson and ‘Lunar Sea’ for Andy Ward. This remaster from the original tapes is pressed on black vinyl and direct to fans coloured vinyl.
‘Nude’ is their eighth studio album originally released in January 1981. The album is based on the true story of a Japanese soldier (Hiroo Onoda) marooned on an island in World War II who didn’t know that the war had ended. The title of the album came from the thought that all men are the same. It was the last Camel album to feature original drummer Andy Ward. This is pressed on black vinyl and direct to fans-coloured vinyl.
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, plus numerous live albums and DVDs. With a long and celebrated history, they are one of the true innovators of progressive rock and are cited by artists to this day as inspirations including Steven Wilson, Marillion and Opeth with esteemed British rock journalists describing them as “the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock”.
Although the band have seen multiple line-up changes, Camel continued under the steady hand of lead guitarist and founder member Andrew Latimer. Camel have released recordings and have toured extensively which included a triumphant return to a sell-out crowd at The Royal Albert Hall as recently as 2018.
