THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE SALUTE YOU

This was COLOSSEUM's debut released in 1969. It's very much a Jazz / Blues affair and very commercial sounding at times. I must admit that to my ears this doesn't compare to their next two albums in "Valentyne Suite" and "The Grass Is Greener". I would swear there were at least two horn players but apparently Dick Hectall-Smith could play two at once. Alrighty then.

"Walking In The Park" is catchy with horns and vocals standing out.Guitar before 1 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop but the horns continue to blast.Vocals are back late. "Plenty Hard Luck" is led by the guitar, drums and horns early.Vocals join in quickly though.The organ of Greenslade takes the lead then the horns are back out front.Vocals return 3 1/2 minutes in. Not much of a fan of these first two tracks.

"Mandarin" is my favourite track on here. Love the sound of this one right from the start. We get a bass solo too. Guitar leads after 2 1/2 minutes and we get a full sound before 4 minutes. "Debut" builds then guitar comes in after a minute but it's brief. Catchy stuff. The organ leads after 3 1/2 minutes then we get a drum solo 5 minutes in then the horns return with the organ. More brief guitar.

"Beware The Ides Of March" is perplexing to me with that "Whiter Shade Of Pale" melody. I do like the guitar and dissonant horns though. "The Road She Walked Before" features percussion and vocal melodies before the vocals arrive with horns. Piano leads 1 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop.

"Backwater Blues" opens with guitar before the vocals come in.This is Bluesy stuff. A sax solo comes in after 3 minutes then the vocals return late.

"Those About To Die" is uptempo with horns, organ and drums leading. Guitar before a minute.

This certainly has it's moments but i'll stick with the two albums they did after this one.