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