Shamal is the sixth studio album released under the name Gong and was released by Virgin Records on 13 February 1976[3] The album, produced by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, was recorded in December 1975[4] by a unique line-up referred to later as "Shamal-Gong".

It is usually regarded as a transitional album between Daevid Allen's incarnation of the band and the Pierre Moerlen-led fusion line-up of the late 1970s.

Reviewing the album for the website Sputnikmusic, Robert Davis said: The greatest thing about Shamal is that it's so versatile.

There are only six tracks here, but each one seems to explore a different tone and aspect of musical experimentation.

Yet what really glues all these songs together is the absence of self-indulgent musicianship and a definite knowledge of perfect instrumental placements.