HEART TO HEART

Peter Barden's third solo album effort Heart To Heart falls easily into the easy listening category. A rather diluted affair especially the first half. " Julia" kicks off the album and rather unusual and laid back. Bardens even up to his last album, Art Of Levitation, always had that lazy, chill out aspect to his sound. Never left him since leaving Camel after Breathless. " Doing The Crab" is very forgettable and funky jazz in sound, having some fun, Mel Collins enjoying the sax too. " Slipstream" picks up the game nicely with some noteworthy keyboards and dizzy base. Hints of jazzy Camel all over this one." Jinxed" has more funky elements to it and makes for pleasant listening. " After Dark" definitely the highlight on the album with some great restrained synths and simple riffs. Almost sounds like Rick Davies :-). The album continues to hold up nicely with " Slow Motion", warm vocals and harmonising with Gus Isadore. The title track another plus on the album with some pleasant Peter Barden's trademark sound effects. Overall a good album, not as poor as other reviews have suggested. You can definitely see it fits well with a late 70's release, damned for sure by the critics at the time. If you like late 70's and early 80's Camel up to Single Factor which Bardens also guested on, you will like Heart To Heart.