Record Reviews
9 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | COLOSSEUM ~ UPON TOMORROW
REPERTOIRE 1466 (Barcode: 4009910146620) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2023
This is a 2CD archival album by the legendary British Progressive Rock / Jazz-Rock Fusion group ColosseumFind albums by this artist, presented as the “long-lost 4th studio album”, but the album’s content is quite a complex matter, as explained below. The lineup of the classic Colosseum lineup includes vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist, guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, except on the first two tracks on CD1, which feature guitarist James LitherlandFind albums by this artist and bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist.
CD1 contains four tracks recorded during two separate filmed concerts, the first a TV appearance (tracks 1-2), captured on March 26, 1969, and the second a part of a series of films about British Rock bands (tracks 3-4), captured on May 14, 1970, both of which have nothing to do with the a.m. “lost” album. The CD includes only audio material, which I find it a bit bizarre, as RepertoireFind albums on this label Records could have probably get hold of a license to the video material as well, unless they plan to release that separately?
CD2 contains eight tracks, the first five of which were supposedly intended as the “lost” album and the remaining are demos of three of those tracks. The material was recorded during the hiatus following the release of the largely successful “LiveFind albums with this title” album, which eventually led to the band falling apart by the end of 1971. The material was recorded in spring / summer of 1971, first at the legendary Lansdowne Studios (see the three demos), and later mixed it at the Advision Studios (see track 5) and finally at Jon’s home studio (see tracks1-4). Colosseum performed some of this material during their concerts in late 1971 and it also appeared on Colosseum related albums, like the debut solo album by Heckstall-Smith or the debut album by TempestFind albums by this artist.
Colosseum were just too good to last, and such superb collection of talents was bound to implode / explode, especially when the British Prog and Fusion was a constant swirl of bands being created and falling apart, often without the opportunity to leave recorded legacy behind. Lucky for us, Colosseum fans, there is a true abundance of music in Hiseman’s extensive archives, and of course we enjoyed the sensational reunion later on.
Overall, as on every other archival Colosseum album, there is plenty of sublime material herein to give us a reason to rejoice, especially since much of it are unreleased studio recordings. For Colosseum fans, this is heaven on earth of course, so let’s simply enjoy it!
| | Updated: 20/02/2024Posted: 20/02/2024 | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM II ~ STRANGE NEW FLESH (EXPANDED EDITION)
CASTLE 1188 (Barcode: 5050749411884) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2005
1st album by the second incarnation of ColosseumFind albums by this artist. After the original band disbanded in 1971, leader and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist formed TempestFind albums by this artist (which recorded two splendid albums) and in 1974 formed the new Colosseum with guitar hero Gary MooreFind albums by this artist. The new band had a much “harder” sound than the original band, but still played a mixture of Jazz-Rock, which by that time was already called Fusion. The band also included the excellent keyboards player Don AireyFind albums by this artist and bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist) as well as Mike StarrsFind albums by this artist on lead vocals. The combination of five first class musicians produced a band that could play anything between Fusion and Prog with ease and elegance, as this album proves. Although received coldly by the fans of the original Colosseum (probably due to the different sound and the fact that the strong presence of Blues elements was replaced with Rock elements), this is an excellent album in every respect and in retrospect surely deserves much more attention that it did originally. This beautiful new edition almost triples the playing time of the original album by an hour of studio material and a BBC live concert recorded in 1976, all previously unreleased. Highly recommended.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | PATTO ~ HOLD YOUR FIRE (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2582 (Barcode: 5013929468245) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the second album by the short-lived British Progressive Rock group PattoFind albums by this artist, led by the charismatic vocalist Mike PattoFind albums by this artist, which also included guitarist / vibraphonist / pianist Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, bassist Clive GriffithsFind albums by this artist and drummer John HalseyFind albums by this artist. The original album presented eight songs, all composed by Halsall with lyrics by Mike Patto. This remastered and expended edition adds two outtakes from the album studio recordings as bonus tracks and a second CD with eight tracks from BBC radio sessions and three alternate takes of the studio album.
Although Patto did not achieve much recognition at the time, their albums are considered as an integral part of the early British Prog, mainly thanks to the extraordinary guitar work by Halsall, who influenced many important Rock guitarists of his generation. After Patto disbanded Halsall played in TempestFind albums by this artist, BoxerFind albums by this artist and in Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist´ band until his untimely death in 1992. Mike Patto also died tragically early in 1979 as a victim of cancer.
The music is an amalgam of Blues, Rock and some Jazz-Rock influences, which in retrospect sounds like many other similar products of the period, sadly not leaving any remarkable musical statements, except the already mentioned guitar parts by Halsall. But it is definitely a nice listening experience with a strong nostalgic tinge.
Overall this is an opportunity to revisit some lesser known recordings of early British Prog, which still are relevant today and pay tribute to one of the forgotten guitar heroes of that period.
| | Updated: 02/08/2019Posted: 02/08/2019 | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | HOWARD RILEY ~ DISCUSSIONS
JAZZPRINT 137 (Barcode: 604388682720) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007
This debut recording by the legendary UK pianist Howard RileyFind albums by this artist was initially released 40 years ago on a tiny label (OpportunityFind albums on this label, owned by producer Chris WellardFind albums by this artist) and has been unavailable for ages, making it a super-rare collector’s item. Riley has been spearheading the UK free jazz scene since the mid-1960, recording regularly over the years and serving as a beacon of musical enlightenment and vision. His exceptional talents as a pianist and composer are truly unrivaled, with the possible exception of his peer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist.
On this album Riley is accompanied by the brilliant bassist Barry GuyFind albums by this artist (Spontaneous Music EnsembleFind albums by this artist (SME)), another prominent figure on the UK free jazz scene, who recorded with Riley’s trio on more than one occasion. The person behind the drums is probably the greatest surprise to the visitors of this site, as it is no other than Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist - future leader of ColosseumFind albums by this artist, TempestFind albums by this artist and United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist (Hiseman’s early jazz career is much lesser know).
The trio performs a set consisting of several Riley’s original compositions and a few standards – these well disguised as appropriate for a free jazz setting. Some clearly melodic elements are still present on these tracks, as the adventurous full-blown Avant-Garde was yet to come, but this is a classic of the genre in every sense. The interplay between the three master musicians is phenomenal and considering their tender age (at the time of this recording) this is a monster achievement. Absolutely essential for all free jazz lovers, especially for connoisseurs of the UK branch of the genre.
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | TEMPEST ~ THE GRAVEL WALK
HTD 94 (Barcode: 5023387009423) ~ USA ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1997 Released: 1999
Excellent album by US Folk-Prog group TempestFind albums by this artist firmly based in Celtic music tradition but using modern instrumentation and Prog oriented structures, with superb instrumental backing. The music is quite similar to the music created by other British and Irish groups, active in the same sub-genre, but with slightly more Rocky sound. Active since the early 1990s the group still produces new albums 20 years later. Although relatively little known in Europe, Tempest is an important member of the contemporary Folk-Prog scene and this album should be a most enjoyable listen to the many fans of the genre. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
|
