Colosseum is my all time favorite prog band and one of the best UK constellations ever. A combination of experience, skill, fantasy and moxie made them outstanding on the British scene. But this remarkable album was US only. A lot was going on around and within the band at this time - new members, labels and recordings - so by the time the Americans was handeling the "Valentyne Suite" issue, just a few months later, the group had developed considerably. New guitarist/vocalist Dave Clemson had replaced James Litherland and the music moved from rather traditional jazzy prog to a sound specific to the band. So instead of just being a US issue of "Valentyne Suite", this became a totally unique LP. There's only one original recording in common - "Elegy", still with Litherlands vocals. Three other cuts from the UK version was re-made with Clemson - "Butty's Blues", "The Machines Demands A Sacrifice" and "The Grass Is Greener" - all more edgy and emotional on this. And only here you'll get the studio originals of "Rope Ladder To The Moon", "Lost Angeles" and "Jumping Off The Sun". They later showed up on UK "Colosseum Live" and "Collectors Colosseum" issues, but in more or less changed form. The album in its UK shape is also very good, but this feels more free and adventurous and nails me to my listening chair - note by note. All tracks were recorded in London and produced by bassist Tony Reeves and Gerry Bron (who worked with Marianne Faithful, Manfred Mann, Uriah Heep and also managed his own label - Bronze Records). Re-issued in remastered form 2003 as part of a CD issue of "Valentyne Suite" (Sanctuary Records SMEDD 097). (CÖL*) (YZÄ*)
I always had a soft spot for this album too, though I would deem it inferior to Valentyne Suite as a whole. And replacing Jimmy Litherland's vocals on Butty's and (especially) Machine Demands with Clempson's is just so WRONG.
SvaraRaderaHalf of the material was newly overdubbed and remixed in 1971. This does indeed take away some of the atmosphere of the originals, but on the other hand it can be argued that Jumping off the sun works much better with Chris Farlowe's vocals.
Still, I do play this from time to time. It is a nice snapshot from a band in transition, who would soon move on to greater things.
They are two top LP:s and a blessing wich ever you choose, but this has always been my favorite. OK it may seem wrong with the replacements, but to my ears the result here is better. I miss "The Kettle" on this, but that was on first US instead, and I don't like the butchering of the suite...apart from that it's a five star album. I agree JOTS works better with Farlowe - who could compete with one of the best male singers of the period?
SvaraRadera