For those unaware, Exiled is a remarkable 1980 space themed concept album crafted by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Steve Coe, blending melodic rock, progressive textures, and a richly cinematic sci fi narrative.

Recorded with an impressive lineup of renowned British musicians, the album features guest performances from Francis Rossi (Status Quo), Dan McCafferty (Nazareth), and Terry Cassidy, accompanied by backing vocals from Hudson Ford - the partnership of Richard Hudson and John Ford, both formerly of Strawbs.

Keyboardist Chris Parren adds further depth to the album’s sound, while additional vocal contributions from Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) and Lesley Duncan.

Originally released in 1980, Exiled stands today as an overlooked gem of British progressive rock: a meticulously produced studio project that combines strong songwriting with a stellar supporting cast drawn from some of the UK’s most respected musicians of the era.

1. Journey Across The Universe (Intro) (0:59)
2. Lost In The Stars (3:50)
3. Life On Earth (Intro) (0:31)
4. Children Of The Universe (3:28)
5. In The Image Of Man (Intro) (0:21)
6. Hold On To Love (3:04)
7. The Suspicion (Intro) (0:21)
8. Inner Conflict (3:46)
9. The Death of Pure Man (Intro) (0:26)
10. Something Inside Us Is Dying (3:24)
11. The Second Coming (Intro) (0:48)
12. Dreaming (3:33)
13. The Missing Link (Intro) (0:38)
14. Time Dance (3:38)
15. A New Understanding (Intro) (0:49)
16. Ships In The Night (3:34)
17. While Shepherds Watch (Intro) (1:09)
18. Return To The Stars (4:12)
19. Miles Away (3:08)

To my mind, Exiled is an old school concept album and one that all these decades later sounds adorably vintage and yet still stylized. From beginning to end the project is delightfully ambient, chock full of wondrously highflying synth lines and - at times - cavernous organ depths.

For me the whole album is a pure, unadulterated space jam of the highest order, with stand out gems to my ears being the free-flowing Children Of The Universe, the ornately cultured pairing of Dreaming and Time Dance, and the soaringly space-tastic Return To The Stars.

The 1980 album ala space project by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Steve Coe features some mighty fine heavy hitters too, and most all famous British ones, such as Francis Rossi (Status Quo), Dan McCafferty (Nazareth), Terry Cassidy (Strawbs) and comes complete with backing vocals by the duo Hudson-Ford (who also had a stint Strawbs; drummer Richard Hudson and bassist John Ford) and keyboards by Chris Parren (Strawbs/Hudson-Ford), Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) and Lesley Duncan.

Incidentally, both Duncan & Blunstone provided their vocal prowess on past Alan Parsons Project albums. Lesley Duncan sang lead on the track If I Could Change Your Mind from the 1979 album Eve while Colin Blunstone worked on a song each from the albums Eye In The Sky (1982-track: Old And Wise), Ammonia Avenue (1984-track: Dancing On A Highwire) and Vulture Culture (1985-track: Somebody Out There).

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