Colosseum II

Years after the original Colosseum disbanded, Jon Hiseman assembled a new lineup by bringing in Gary Moore and Don Airey, thereby launching Colosseum II. This incarnation abandoned the jazz- and blues-inflected rock of its predecessor in favor of an intense exploration of hyperkinetic jazz fusion that pushed every participant to technical extremes. The group sustained a high level of activity and recording for roughly three years before momentum faded. Mike Starrs sang on the debut release yet soon left to join the metal outfit Lucifer's Friend once the vocal arrangement proved unsustainable. Bassist Neil Murray likewise exited and was succeeded by John Mole. Andrew Lloyd Webber enlisted the musicians for Variations, the piece he wrote for his brother, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. After issuing three well-received albums, Colosseum II disbanded. Hiseman subsequently concentrated on session engagements and performances with the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble. In October 2005 Sanctuary issued an expanded reissue of the first album under the title Strange New Flesh: Upgraded.