For those not in the know, he rang Derek Taylor’s doorbell, charmed his way into Warner Bros. ... and came out with one of the classiest unsung records of 1976.

Recorded with the dream team of Ricotti, Moran, Morgan & Halsall, Stalking the Sleeper finds former ELO man Michael de Albuquerque trading stadium glare for studio glow — all shimmering strings, sly funk grooves, and late-night lyricism.

Think Steely Dan on the Thames, with a touch of Schopenhauer. First time back on CD (and digital) since its brief run in 1976, lovingly restored by Prof. Stoned and dressed up with new notes, and the same quiet elegance that’s always been Michael’s trademark.

1. I Gotta Woman [3:36]
2. Stalking The Sleeper [4:05]
3. Patience Cousin! [4:03]
4. The Wreckers [5:45]
5. Say What You Want [4:02]
6. Just Your Love [3:40]
7. Walking Out On Sunny Street [4:04]
8. Tonight On The Highway [5:20]
9. Silent Love [2:39]
10. See You In My Pillow [3:52]
11. Home To Tea [3:04]
12. Outside In The Rain (Demo) [4:01]

This truly opulent recording opens on the lavishly sculpted I Gotta Woman and the opulent AOR of title track Stalking The Sleeper and then comes the funky Patience Cousin!, the prog-esque piano balladry of The Wreckers, the upbeat rhythmic rocker Say What You Want and the all-embracing vibe of the joyful Just Your Love.

Along next is a tuneful yearning ache within the ballad Walking Out On Sunny Street and the orchestrally-imbibed Tonight On The Highway and they are then in turn backed by the melodic ditty Silent Love, the jangly See You In My Pillow, the set rounding out on the playful Home To Tea, and a luxuriant demo version of Outside In The Rain brings its all to a close.

This CD is housed inside a deluxe OBI-wrapped digipak with the restored album and curated additional tracks. It comes with a 24-page booklet telling the full behind-the-glass story and is proof that some sleepers don’t just wake… they groove!

Official Purchase Link

Michael de Albuquerque @ Bandcamp