Camel-Mirage (1974)

Despite the modest commercial success, though not artistic merit, of their debut album, Camel's musical vision was further enhanced on their second full-length album, released a year later. "Mirage" reflects a consolidated band that would focus on instrumental atmospheres, supported by a solid foundation of rock and jazz fusion. Within this context, the entire second album breathes with seductive and captivating melodies, beginning with the immeasurable "Lady Fantasy", the powerful and impactful "Freefall", the atmospheric and brilliant "Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider", and the instrumental "Earthrise". In all of these tracks, Camel showcases great musical ideas, brimming with genuine inventiveness, beauty, aggression, and a playful ambition, featuring superb harmonies, impressive guitar and keyboard solos by Andrew Latimer and Peter Bardens, and a rhythm section comprised of Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson that fluidly underpins the repertoire throughout the entire album. "Mirage" not only became a masterpiece, but also the starting point for a career full of great works and, incidentally, for each and every one of the progressive bands that would emerge in the following years.