Colosseum-Those Who Are About to Die Salute You (1969)

Formed from the ashes of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Colosseum released their debut album, "Those Who Are About To Die Salute You", in 1968, with a lineup heavily influenced by jazz and blues. Led by drummer John Hiseman and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, the band also included organist and vocalist Dave Greenslade, bassist Tony Reeves, and guitarist James Litherland. Colosseum's style, while rooted in blues and jazz, also incorporated a significant amount of avant-garde and progressive rock. Tracks like their rhythm and blues version of Graham Bond's "Walking In The Park", the bluesy "Plenty Hard Luck", "Debut", and "Backwater Blues" are filled with passionate saxophone solos from Heckstall-Smith and guitarist Litherland. Others, like "The Road She Walked Before", are more jazz-rock oriented. In all of them, the group moves with considerable fluidity thanks to the eclectic fusion of styles and the musical influences of each member. Released by the Fontana label, this debut album sold a large number of records, leading to countless concerts across Europe and further increasing Colosseum's popularity.