Shamal | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 13 February 1976 | |||
Recorded | December 1975 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 40:41 | |||
Label | Virgin Records | |||
Producer | Nick Mason | |||
Gong chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Christgau's Record Guide | B−[2] |
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] 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.
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]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wingful of Eyes" | Mike Howlett | 6:20 |
2. | "Chandra" | Music: Patrice Lemoine; Lyrics: Mike Howlett | 7:18 |
3. | "Bambooji" | Didier Malherbe | 5:13 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
4. | "Cat in Clark's Shoes" | Didier Malherbe, Mike Howlett, Patrice Lemoine | 7:43 |
5. | "Mandrake" | Pierre Moerlen | 5:04 |
6. | "Shamal" | Howlett, Malherbe, Moerlen, Lemoine, Mireille Bauer | 9:03 |
Total length: | 40:41 |
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.