Album review: RADAR – Lost In The Atlantic

Escape Music [Release date 19.02.21]

Escape Music have a knack of uncovering long lost albums, or in the case of Radar, one that has never had a proper release until now.

Radar was formed in 1981 by David West (keyboards, drum programming), Rod Jordan (vocals, bass) and Gary Stevenson (guitars). They built their own studio, Secret Studios, and the band started recording their debut album in 1985.

In tandem Gary Stevenson was also producing other bands at Secret studios, one of them being the then unknown duo called Go West (Gary also used David West on this project). Go West signed with Chrysalis Records, kept Gary as their producer and went on to win the ‘Best Newcomers’ at the 1985 Brit Awards.

Radar were happy to hold back the release of their album and use the success of Gary’s production works with various bands to promote an upcoming release. Hindsight is a wonderful thing as momentum was lost and the Radar album was never released, until now.

Radar have that distinctive 80’s synth pop sound, unsurprisingly sounding like Go West! ‘The Calling Time’ and ‘Going Overboard’ being prime examples, and on the latter Rod Jordan’s vocals sound a little like Nik Kershaw. That song is one of a couple to feature the sax playing of Mel Collins.

Go West’s Peter Cox appears as a backing vocalist on ‘Olympic Runner’. This song uses various effects – runner’s breathes, crowd noises – to good effect. ‘A Trick Of The Light’ is full of chopping guitar riffs and plenty of synths, recalling Saga in their mid-80’s pomp. ‘The Calling Time’ is another synth led delight and a chance to show off the melodic vocals of Rod Jordan. Sadly it seems he didn’t record much more after Radar, although you can find him on Soundcloud

If you enjoy the 80s synth pop of Go West and Nik Kershaw then this album will be right up your musical street. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.