A dozen years of waiting for a new “Nude” reissue on compact disc is nothing compared to the 29 years that Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda spent waiting to stop fighting World War II. For him, the war didn’t end until March 1974, when he finally surrendered his sword to the then-President of the Philippines—until that moment, he refused to accept that Japan had lost, dismissing all “rumors” as mere propaganda!
Unrelated?
Not at all, since CAMEL’s eighth studio album is a concept masterpiece based precisely on this incredible story – the title cleverly references the soldier’s family name, Onoda. Released in January 1981, “Nude” stands as a compelling album of both amazing storytelling and exceptional musicianship. Predominantly instrumental, “Nude” weaves a narrative through its compositions, with Susan Hoover, future spouse of CAMEL’s founding member, guitarist, singer, flautist and keyboardist Andrew Latimer, contributing the majority of the lyrics. Notably, this album marks the final appearance of original drummer Andy Ward with the band. The album’s personnel also included CAMEL’s Colin Bass (bass and vocals on “City Life” and “Drafted”) and many additional musicians, such as Mel Collins (flute, piccolo, saxophones), Duncan Mackay (keyboards), Jan Schelhaas (piano on “The Last Farewell”), Chris Green (cello on “Drafted”), Gasper Lawal (all percussion on “Changing Places”), and Herbie Flowers (tuba on “The Homecoming”). Latimer played guitars, vocals, flute, koto and various keyboards and he also sang on “Please Come Home” and “Lies”.
The recording sessions for “Nude” took place in September 1980 at London’s renowned Abbey Road Studios. Produced collaboratively by CAMEL, Tony Clark, and Haydn Bendall, the album showcases the band’s commitment to high-quality production and intricate musical arrangements. While “Nude” did not achieve significant commercial success upon its release, it has garnered appreciation over time for its atmospheric soundscapes and cohesive storytelling. Critics have lauded the album for its ability to create an immersive and captivating musical journey.
In 2008, multi-instrumentalist, composer and sound engineer Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE, NO-MAN, BLACKFIELD, STORM CORROSION), writing in Classic Rock magazine, included “Nude” as one of “10 Mind-Blowing Concept Albums that may have slipped under your radar”.
Undoubtedly, “Nude”, along with CAMEL‘s classic earlier works, has had a lasting influence on contemporary musicians. In terms of reception, it has been recognized as one of the outstanding progressive rock albums of the early 1980s. Reviewers have praised its musicianship, noting the effective use of symphonic elements and diverse instrumentation, including symphonies, vibraphones, and saxophone. This rich tapestry of sounds contributes to the album’s unique character and enduring appeal among fans of the genre.
Beyond “Nude”, CAMEL have been acknowledged as a significant and influential force in the progressive rock scene. Artists such as Mikael Åkerfeldt of OPETH have cited CAMEL as an influence, particularly highlighting their impact on compositions like “Hessian Peel”. Music journalist Mark Blake has described CAMEL as “the great unsung heroes of 70s progressive rock”, a testament to their enduring legacy and impact on the genre.
Ηailed as one of the best Progressive Rock albums of the 1980s, “Nude” remains one of CAMEL’s best loved works and features such classic tracks as “City Life”, “Lies”, “Drafted”, and “Captured”. Upon its release the album was a UK Top 40 hit and reached the Top 20 in several European countries.
And now, with this three-disc reissue, courtesy of Cherry Red, this epic album gets finally gets all the glory it deserved! A double CD and a multi-region Blu-Ray versions feature the original album remastered by Ben Wiseman, along with 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W. Tayler, and includes an illustrated booklet with an essay.
“Nude” will be re-released on March 28th on Double CD & multi-region BR Clamshell Box Set by Cherry Red Records.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre-order the Box Set here.
