The AOR nutters within our readership are really going to enjoy this release.

It might come as a surprise (or possibly even a shock) to read that Stranded's debut album came out twenty years ago, and if my memory is correct it was well-received by fans and press alike. At the time, it was equally surprising that the band split up and went their separate ways (although they stayed firm friends) shortly after that lone release.

Moving to the present day, those clever fellows over at Escape Music heard that former Diamond In The Rough/Agent member Lewis Nitikman had written another Stranded record that was lying around in the Vault Of Forgotten Albums. The label persuaded Nitikman that these tracks needed to be heard, and they are now available in the form of a brand-new release entitled 'New Dawn'. Nitikman, who plays nearly everything, produces and co-writes the album, is supported by Agent/Stranded vocalist Troy Reid with Ray Roper and Bill Buckingham on guitars.

What's on offer from Stranded's 'New Dawn' you may well ask? It's an album that's filled with West Coast AOR featuring wonderful musicianship and vocals, a warm complementary production and songs that any fan of this style should want to hear. As for the individual tracks, 'Not Enough Sorry' is a stylish way to start any release with the laid-back guitar riffs and Reid's strong raspy vocals laying down the foundations for the remaining songs to build upon. The Caribbean Yacht Rock of 'I'll Be The One', the charming 'Get Over This' and the awesome ballad 'Arrow' are all sophisticated tracks that will stay with you. Take a listen to other notable highlights like the bluesy 'More Than Words Can Say', a song you can imagine being played in a smoke-filled fifties barroom, the superb ballad 'Power Of Love' which shows off perfectly the full emotional vocal prowess of Reid, the silky-smooth 'One Piece Of Heaven' and the AOR-tastic 'I Believe In This Love', and I'm certain you'll soon realise that you're smiling with pleasure as you listen to this album.

Stranded have been away from the music scene for far too long, but with a new record full of such high-quality tracks, let us all hope that they will be back with yet more brand-new music as soon as they possibly can. The AOR nutters within our readership are really going to enjoy this release.

Ian Johnson