This is the first of John Hiseman’s Colosseum II project with Gary Moore on guitar.
Dark Side Of The Moog opens up the album with a very busy jazz fusion groove, and features Don Airey on keys. Down To You is up next which is a smooth jazz version of the Joni Mitchell track, and features some great playing by Moore. Gemini And Leo closes out Side 1. A very funky jazz groove to this, and it’s great to hear Gary play other grooves than blues and rock.
Secret Places opens up Side 2 and is the most melodic track on the record, with a vocal by Mike Starrs but it’s Gary’s playing that really turns your ear. On Second Thoughts starts really slow with some off the hook playing from Gary. In fact, this whole track will blow your mind. His playing is just incredible with a very clean tone. Winds closes out the record and this is the best track on the album. This is just everyone going for it right from the get go with a killer drum pattern from Hiseman to start the ball rolling, then Airey has a turn in the spotlight, before Don and Gary trade licks. Projects just usually do the one album and they’re gone, but this one gave us three great records and sadly Jon and Gary are no longer with us.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
