Saturday, December 02, 2017

Brand X : Unorthodox Behaviour 1976


Brand X is a jazz Rock band, originally active between 1975–1980 and 1992–1999. Noted members included John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass), Robin Lumley (keyboards), Kenwood Dennard (drums) and Phil Collins - Genesis - (drums). Goodsall and Jones were the sole constant members throughout the band's existence. In 2016, Goodsall, Jones and Dennard reunited with new musicians Chris Clark on keyboards and Scott Weinberger on percussion.
Unorthodox Behaviour is the first album by British jazz fusion group Brand X. It peaked at 191 on the Billboard 200 in 1976, the same year it was released.

This album combines jazz fusion with progressive rock, influenced by their drummer Phil Collins of Genesis. It shows extensive use of improvisation in the extended pieces, which is common in both genres of music. The melody is mainly supported by guitar and bass, most notably on the opening track. Collins' drum work is very fast and shows a difference in his style from his main band. Tracks like "Nuclear Burn" and "Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria" are often cited as a showcase for his drum work.


Phil Collins' seemingly endless well of energy afforded him two careers: one as the drummer/vocalist in Genesis, and a second as a prolific session musician. It was in this second scenario that Collins hooked up with Percy Jones, John Goodsall, and Robin Lumley during sessions for Brian Eno, Eddie Howell, and Jack Lancaster.

The quartet soon formed Brand X, a fusion jazz band that matched the prodigious rhythms of Collins and fretless bassist Jones with the atmospheric melodies of Goodsall and Lumley.

Unorthodox Behaviour sets the stage for what would follow: music that plies the same sonic territory as Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the like, punctuated by the distinctive styles of individual members.


Track listing

 01.Nuclear Burn (Brand X) – 6:23
 02.Euthanasia Waltz (Lumley) – 5:42
 03.Born Ugly (Brand X) – 8:18
 04.Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria (Goodsall) – 4:30
 05.Unorthodox Behaviour (Brand X) – 8:29
 06.Running on Three (Jones) – 4:38
 07.Touch Wood (Brand X) – 3:03





Released : June 18, 1976
Recorded : September–October 1975
Studio     Trident Studios, London
Genre : Jazz fusion, progressive rock
Length     41:01
Label : Charisma (UK)
Passport (US)
Producer : Brand X, Dennis MacKay

Members

John Goodsall – acoustic and electric guitars
Robin Lumley – keyboards
Percy Jones – bass guitar, double bass
Phil Collins – drums, percussion, vibes
Jack Lancaster – soprano saxophone


FLAC  Size :  229 MB




1 comment:

  1. Thank you very much! I love Jones and Collins' work with Brian Eno around this time, so looking forward to hearing this obscurity. Brilliant blog!!

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