Colosseum are an English jazz rock band, mixing blues, rock and jazz-based improvisation. Colin Larkin (Encyclopedia of Popular Music) wrote that "the commercial acceptance of jazz rock in the UK" was mainly due to this band.a
The band were formed in early 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman with tenor sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith, who met each other when they both played in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.
Valentyne Suite, originally released in 1969, takes the band out of their bluesy comfort zone into something closer to prog rock. The album is generally seen as their best album and still extremely enjoyable. Fun fact: the riff from "The Kettle" was used on "Ya Mama" by Fatboy Slim.
Valentyne Suite is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on white & pink marble vinyl.
SIDE A
1. The Kettle
2. Elegy
3. Butty's Blues
4. The Machine Demands A Sacrifice
SIDE B - The Valentyne Suite
1. January's Search
2. February's Valentyne
3. The Grass Is Always Greener
