by Bret AdamsKeyboardist Pete Bardens continued his string of largely instrumental new age and atmospheric rock albums with 1994's Big Sky. The Camel alumnus' previous album, 1993's Further Than You Know, was a little heavier on the vocals, so this is a bit more like his superb Seen One Earth from 1987 and Speed of Light from 1988. Unfortunately, the songs aren't quite as strong here. Longtime vocalist Neil Lockwood, guitarist Neale Heywood, and drummer Jethro DeFries are still along for the Big Sky flight, and Fleetwood Mac drummer and longtime Bardens friend Mick Fleetwood makes another guest appearance. The lilting, lazy (in a good way) China Blue is relaxing. Bardens' more eclectic influences are evident on Puerto Rico due to its percussion- and horn-like keyboard riffs. Big Sky is one of Bardens' trademark hypnotic, flowing pieces. The lively instrumental Gunblasters is the best song here; the artist's repetitively catchy keyboard lick and Heywood's rhythm guitar chords and slicing solo are the highlights. A Brave New World starts out slow, smooth, and watery before exploding and receding back to a gentle ending. Bardens' former Camel bandmate Andy Latimer contributes backing vocals to On a Roll, a percussion-heavy bit of light Caribbean funk. Bardens' short solo piano piece Scarletti wraps up Big Sky.