COLOSSEUM – XI (2025) *HQ*
Formed in 1968 and revived in 2020 by original members guitarist Clem Clempson and bassist Mark Clarke, together with R&B legend singer Chris Farlowe (who joined in 1970), COLOSSEUM is living legend band. They were rone of the first bands to fuse jazz, rock and blues, later morphing in to progressive rock – and currently playing an organic styel of classic rock with a bluesy foundation.
2025 sees COLOSSEUM unveiling a new studio album. Simply titled ”XI”, COLOSSEUM’s eleventh studio album brings another exciting chapter in the band’s recording history, which began in 1969 with their debut Those Who Are About To Die Salute You. The nine songs on ”XI” showcase the current COLOSSEUM line-up at their best – a group of friends, long-time colleagues and like-minded people honoring the memory of founding members Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith without sounding outdated, and who once again cover the wide spectrum of blues, jazz-rock and prog that COLOSSEUM is known for, in a dynamic and inspired manner.
One may say that numbering, rather than titling, their records may be a sign of artists imagination running dry, but when it comes to a new COLOSSEUM album such assumption couldn’t get further from the truth.
Given that in the heart of “XI” – these numerals form a title of the veterans’ forthcoming platter – is a nine-minute mini-epic “English Garden Suite” – which, of course, all the aficionados will think to hark back to their second album “Valentyne Suite” – just like the cover artwork should evoke the reminiscences of “Colosseum Live – (1971)” – there’s a lot to delve into and find delight in.
Produced by keyboard player Nick Steed and guitarist Clem Clempson – together with singer Chris Farlowe and bassist Mark Clarke, a member of the band’s classic line-up – “XI” – which includes the group’s version of trademark Jack Bruce track “Out Into The Fields”, and a Van Morrison cover (“Ain’t Gonna Moan No More”), is out on April 4th on CD and vinyl.
Highly Recommended
01 – Not Getting Through
02 – Gypsy
03 – English Garden Suite
04 – Ain’t Gonna Moan No More
05 – Nowhere To Be Found
06 – Won’t Be Satisfied
07 – No More Second Chances
08 – Out Into The Fields
09 – Hunters
Dave “Clem” Clempson – guitar, vocals, keyboards
Mark Clarke – bass, vocals
Chris Farlowe – vocals
Kim Nishikawara – saxophones
Malcolm Mortimore – drums
Nick Steed – organ, synthesizers, piano
with
Ray DeTone – guest guitar on 2
Ana Gracey – backing vocals
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/XI-Colosseum/dp/B0DWZYYTRJ
