Product Review

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of the classic 1969 album by Colosseum. Originally released in November 1969 housed in a striking sleeve designed by Marcus Keef, Valentyne Suite was the first release on the progressive imprint Vertigo and spent nine weeks on the UK album chart, peaking at #15. The album featured the "classic" Colosseum line-up of Jon Hiseman (drums), Dave Greenslade (organ and vibes), Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxophones), James Litherland (guitar, vocals) and Tony Reeves (bass). Valentyne Suite is arguably the finest album by the band, featuring such outstanding tracks as 'The Kettle' (with a distinctive riff later sampled by Fatboy Slim), 'Elegy' and 'The Machine Demands a Sacrifice' (with lyrics by Pete Brown). However, the album's focal point was the three part 'Valentyne Suite' which earned the band critical praise and is now regarded as a milestone in early progressive rock. This expanded reissue includes a bonus track of 'Tell Me Now' (recorded at Lansdowne studios in April 1969) and a bonus remastered CD of the US and Canadian album The Grass Is Greener, released on the Dunhill label in 1970. The album featured some material featured on Valentyne Suite, albeit remixed and featuring new member Dave "Clem" Clempson (guitar, vocals), who replaced James Litherland in the group. The album also featured a series of songs unreleased in the UK such as 'Jumping Off the Sun', 'Lost Angeles', 'Rope Ladder to the Moon' (written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown), and a version of Ravel's 'Bolero'. The Esoteric Recordings edition also features a booklet that fully restores the original album artwork of both Valentyne Suite and The Grass is Greener and features a new essay.