VALENTYNE SUITE

Second Colosseum studio album is possibly the best late 60-s jazz-rock album. Not jazz fusion ( which for me means genre, invited by jazz musicians, added rock elements to their jazz music), but real jazz rock (when rock musicians took from jazz it's improvisation & instrumental arrangements.

Characteristically to time of its release, this is so called "early jazz rock" - heavy bluesy rooted with rock and jazz added in almost equal proportions. Excellent rock energy, bluesy soul, and jazzy musicianship. Dick Heckstall-Smith sax soloing is one of his best ( speaking about jazz rock music), rhythm section is heavy and great, James Litherland is band's best vocalist.

Rare balance between heavy and melodic blues-rock and jamming, long jazzy compositions. Kind of music was missed very soon in music history.

By the way, fans can compare this album with band's next release, strange "The Grass Is Greener" release for US market, where are some same songs, as on "Valentyne Suite", but recorded with band's new singer and guitarist Dave Clempson.

My rating - 4+.