Strange New Flesh [Bonus CD]

Colosseum II: Mike Starr (vocals); Gary Moore (guitar, background vocals); Don Airey (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Neil Murray (bass); Jon Hiseman (drums).
Recorded at Roadhouse Studios, London, England between 1975 & 1976. Includes liner notes by Paul Lester.
Several years after the original art rock supergroup Colosseum disbanded, drummer Jon Hiseman formed Colosseum II, a more jazz fusion-oriented outfit featuring guitarist Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy) and keyboardist Don Airey. Their eclectic debut, Strange New Flesh, shows some impressive chops from all involved, with an emphasis on Moore's soulful guitar leads. Vocalist Mike Starr, while not an immensely engaging singer, does a nice job keeping up with Hiseman and bass player Neil Murray. Highlights include the technically showy but blissfully irreverent ode to Pink Floyd, "Dark Side of the Moog," a nice version of Joni Mitchell's "Down to You," and the funky "Gemini and Leo." ~ James Christopher Monger