Colosseum – Restoration (CD)

Originally formed in 1968 by ex-New Jazz Orchestra members JON HISEMAN (drums - the Graham Bond Organisation, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers), DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH (saxophones - the Graham Bond Organisation, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) and DAVE GREENSLADE (keyboards - Chris Farlowe’s Thunderbirds), COLOSSEUM were at the forefront of the jazz/prog rock vanguard. Hugely innovative and dynamic live, the band broke up in 1971, only to reform in 1994 for a series of tours and new albums which lasted into the 2000s.

Fast forward to 2022 and COLOSSEUM will be on the road again with a new line-up comprising original frontman CHRIS FARLOWE, guitarist CLEM CLEMPSON and bassist MARK CLARKE.

Joining on Hammond organ, piano, synths and vocals is NICK STEED, keyboard wizard and songwriter whose previous credits include Van Morrison, PP Arnold, Chris Farlowe and Sonja Kristina, and whose songwriting has received worldwide acclaim from the likes of Toto and Snarky Puppy.

One of Canada’s top saxophone players, KIM NISHIKAWARA has worked with many Canadian acts including Michael Buble, Powder Blues and the legendary Downchild Blues Band. Since being based in the UK Kim has been in great demand as a blues/jazz saxophonist, working with with Jack Bruce, Alan Price, Cliff Bennett, Maggie Bell and Chris Farlowe. Kim is thrilled to be stepping into the role formerly held by one of his great heroes, Dick Heckstall-Smith.

Completing the new line-up on drums is MALCOLM MORTIMORE, whose drumming style has been described as “free, quirky and complex”, and who was a member of legendary prog band Gentle Giant, as well as playing with Arthur Brown, Ian Dury, Chris Jagger and Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Bobby Womack, Frankie Miller, Tom Jones and Van Morrison, and many Jazz legends including Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, Buddy Tate and Oliver Jones.