New Clear Child

"New Clear Child," released in September 1994 by A.R. Kane on Luaka Bop, is their third and final studio album. It was recorded in London and San Francisco and produced by Chris Cuben-Tatum. The closing track, "Sea Like a Child," served as the lead single, released earlier in June.

The recording process for *New Clear Child* was marked by creative differences between the duo's members, Rudy Tambala and Alex Ayuli, who had grown apart after working on separate projects following their 1989 album. According to Tambala, the experience was not fruitful, as they wrote songs individually rather than collaboratively, leading to friction during recording.

Reception of the album was mixed. Critics noted a departure from the band's earlier work; Simon Reynolds of *Spin* described it as "jazz-tinged pop-funk" but criticized its lyrics as "New Age nursery-rhyme." AllMusic's Ned Raggett felt the album did not match the quality of their previous efforts, while Neil Kulkarni of *The Quietus* highlighted the disjointed nature of the recording process. Bill Meyer of *Option* magazine praised the album's smooth arrangements and sparse production, calling it ideal for "make-out music."

Overall, the album reflects both the creative tension between its members and a departure from their earlier work.