Shamal (album)

Shamal is the sixth studio album released under the name Gong and was released by Virgin Records on 13 February 1976[3] The album, produced by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason was recorded in December 1975.[4] The album was recorded by a unique line-up referred to later as "Shamal-Gong". It is usually regarded as a transitional album between Daevid Allen's incarnation of the band and the Pierre Moerlen-led fusion line-up of the late 1970s.

Shamal
Studio album by
Released13 February 1976 (1976-02-13)
RecordedDecember 1975
Studio
GenreProgressive rock, Jazz fusion[1]
Length40:13
LabelVirgin Records
ProducerNick Mason
Gong chronology
You
(1974)
Shamal
(1976)
Gazeuse!
(1976)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideB–[2]

Reception

Reviewing the album for the website Sputnikmusic, Robert Davis said:

The greatest thing about Shamal is that it's so versatile. There are only six tracks here, but each one seems to explore a different tone and aspect of musical experimentation. The softer tracks such as opener "Wingful of Eyes" and beautiful, elegant flute-led "Bambooji" are complementary to the album's quirkier tracks, such as the almost Frank Zappa-inspired "Cat in Clark's Shoes" and eccentric closing title track. Yet what really glues all these songs together is the absence of self-indulgent musicianship and a definite knowledge of perfect instrumental placements.[5]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wingful of Eyes"Mike Howlett8:19
2."Chandra"Music: Patrice Lemoine; Lyrics: Mike Howlett7:16
3."Bambooji"Didier Malherbe5:21
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."Cat in Clark's Shoes"Didier Malherbe, Mike Howlett, Patrice Lemoine7:45
5."Mandrake"Pierre Moerlen5:07
6."Shamal"Howlett, Malherbe, Moerlen, Lemoine, Mireille Bauer8:58
Total length:40:13

In 2018, a 2-CD remastered edition of the album was issued by UMC containing one CD of live material recorded in 1975, and unreleased bonus tracks to the regular album.

Personnel

Personnel

Gong
Former Gong
Guest musicians
  • Jorge Pinchevsky – violin
  • Sandy Colley – vocals ("Shamal")

Production

  • Nick Mason: producer
  • Clive Arrowsmith: artwork, photography
  • Phil Ault: engineer
  • Dave Hutchins: engineer
  • Ben Tavera King: engineer
  • Rick Curtain: engineer
  • Ben King: engineer

References

  1. "allmusic ((( Shamal > Review )))". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: G". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 via robertchristgau.com.
  3. "GONG-Chronology". calyx.perso.neuf.fr/gong. 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  4. "GONG-Biography". calyx.perso.neuf.fr/gong. 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  5. "Gong - Shamal (album review ) - Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
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