CAMEL – THE SINGLE FACTOR LP – EXC+ UK 1982  DECCA  PROG

Camel – The Single Factor
(Decca Records  1982  SKL5328)
Matrix No’s: A3/B3 – UK Pressing

Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
Inner Sleeve in Excellent+ condition
– some ringwear, no splits

Vinyl in Excellent+ condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl which do give light pops/crackles but sound quality is excellent overall)

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by founder-member guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have produced fourteen original studio albums and fourteen singles, plus numerous live albums and DVDs. Predominantly instrumental, with melody paramount, Camel’s music combines elements from rock, pop, jazz, blues, folk, classical and electronica.

Without achieving mass popularity, the band gained a cult following over the years with albums such as Mirage, The Snow Goose and Moonmadness. Surviving punk rock, they moved into a jazzier, more commercial direction, but were seen as unfashionable by the mid-80s, resulting in a seven year hiatus. Since 1991 the band have been independent, releasing albums including Dust and Dreams, Harbour of Tears and Rajaz on their own label.

Despite no new studio release since 2002, the band continue to tour. Their music has influenced several subsequent artists, including Marillion and Opeth. The music journalist Mark Blake described Camel as “the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock”.

The Single Factor, released in 1982, is the ninth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. The title refers to the fact that guitarist Andy Latimer was the sole remaining original member, though original keyboardist Peter Bardens makes a guest appearance on ‘Sasquatch’. It has also been taken to mean this album was meant to satisfy the record company’s request for radio friendly single material. Unlike previous Camel albums, all the songs were around 3–4 minutes.

The album was reissued on 8 September 2009 by Esoteric Recordings with a bonus version of “You Are the One”.

Track listing

All songs written by Andy Latimer, except where noted.

Side one

1. “No Easy Answer” – 2:59
2. “You Are the One” – 5:25
3. “Heroes” (Latimer, Susan Hoover) – 4:52
4. “Selva” – 3:34
5. “Lullabye” – 0:59

Side two

1. “Sasquatch” – 4:44
2. “Manic” (Latimer, Hoover) – 4:28
3. “Camelogue” (Latimer, Hoover) – 3:44
4. “Today’s Goodbye” (Latimer, Hoover) – 4:10
5. “A Heart’s Desire” (Latimer, Hoover) – 1:11
6. “End Peace” (Latimer, Anthony Phillips) – 2:55

Personnel

• Andy Latimer – lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, Mellotron (B 2), organ (B 4), bass (B 2)
• David Paton – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals (A 3)
• Chris Rainbow – backing vocals, lead vocals (B 5)
• Anthony Phillips – organ (A 3, B 2), grand piano (A 3, B 2, 6), Polymoog (B 2, 6), ARP 2600 (B 6), marimba (B 6), acoustic guitar (A 4), 12-string guitar (B1)
• Graham Jarvis – drums
• Peter Bardens – organ, Minimoog (B1)
• Haydn Bendall – Yamaha CS80 synthesizer (A 3)
• Duncan Mackay – Prophet synthesizer (A 4)
• Francis Monkman – synclavier (B 2)
• Dave Mattacks – drums (A 3)
• Simon Phillips – drums (B 1)
• Tristan Fry – glockenspiel (B 2)
• Jack Emblow – accordion (B 5)

Production

• Engineered by Tony Clark