Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Brand X
Label: Charisma Records
Release: 1976
Runtime: 40:43
Rating: 4.5/5
Brand X were one of the most exciting British jazz fusion bands around. They formed in 1975 as the result of a jam between five highly talented jazz rock musicians. Original drummer and vocalist Phil Spinelli and rhythm guitarist Pete Bonas left before the band started recording their never officially released debut, which should have come out that same year. Those recordings from between 1975 and 1976 only saw the light of day in 1997, under the title “Missing Period”. Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins came in as Spinelli’s replacement and, together with bassist Percy Jones, became the leader of the band.
For Collins, Brand X were mainly a jazz fusion side playground for when he wasn’t busy with Genesis, but he still always took his side gig seriously, which is also proven by the consistently high quality of the early Brand X albums, even though he was by no means the key member of the quartet, just one of its equals. Because of his later reputation as a prog rock and pop rock singer, many forget that Collins was also a top-notch jazz drummer, and Brand X gave him the perfect outlet for letting off the fusion rhythmic acrobatics he couldn’t indulge in as a member of Genesis, where the songwriting was always relatively democratic, but where they more or less avoided ever veering too far into jazz.
The official debut of the English jazz fusion attraction, titled “Unorthodox Behaviour”, was strongly influenced by the American jazz fusion champions Mahavishnu Orchestra, and also by the masterful debut of that band’s drummer, Billy Cobham, titled “Spectrum” (1973). Brand X didn’t have a guitarist of John McLaughlin’s calibre in their ranks, but John Goosdsall was the next best choice for their brand of electric-guitar-driven jazz fusion. Keyboard duties were handled by Robin Lumley, cousin of the well-known English actress Joanna Lumley, who later made a name for himself as a producer of albums by various jazz fusion and prog rock acts. For a short time he was also a member of Bowie’s backing band, the Spiders from Mars.
The album is entirely instrumental, which is no surprise, since they followed the dominant fusion trends of the day and so used vocals only a handful of times in the band’s history. The opening “Nuclear Burn”, after a relatively shy start, turns into a proper fusion feast with playful rhythmic twists and a relaxed atmosphere, with razor-sharp transitions and witty solo moves on electric guitar and keyboards. “Euthanasia Waltz” sags under an ambient sensibility created by a multicolored rhythmic collage and a refined succession of inventive guitar phrases. “Born Ugly” is, true to its title, as witty a creation as they come, with swaying funky rhythmic whims and waggish spices on the piano. The thoroughly grooving bass line is accompanied by mighty drum transitions, the strumming of a rowdy electric guitar and an elegant piano solo. From there they launch into smart, witty improvisation that successfully keeps up the high ambient intensity and the dynamism of the whole composition.
“Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria” has no shortage of free improvisation, bravura guitar moves, twittering keyboard textures and unpredictable rhythmic turns, as the mood alternates between extreme tension and complete relaxation. The title track is also the most ambitious piece on the album, which was always an unwritten rule for most jazz fusion bands. It’s also the most jokey one. The opening rhythmic “ticking of a clock” is witty, but even more fun is the twittering of assorted keyboard effects and little bells. The colorful use of percussion, led by the cymbals, creates a playful, mischievous atmosphere that sounds like it’s coming straight out of a children’s sandbox. Brand X were without a doubt among the biggest clowns in the world of jazz fusion.
“Running of Three” is a thoroughly razor-sharp composition with jerky drum jabs and energetic guitar passages, bursting at the seams with astonishing speed but also with the finesse of individual masters of their instruments. Goodsall’s supersonic guitar solo is finger-lickin’ good. The closing “Touch Wood” is an exceptionally calm piece, almost a funeral march compared to the rest of the album, with melancholic piano sounds and guest soprano sax courtesy of Jack Lancaster (ex-Blodwyn Pig).
Brand X’s debut was a masterpiece, which came as no surprise, since these instrumental grandmasters could effortlessly turn their enviable grasp of jazz fusion theory into practice. Even though many labeled them the British answer to Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X always had a thoroughly distinctive approach, marked by a generous dose of characteristically English wit, both in the improvisations and in the creation of that intense atmosphere.
Lineup
John Goodsall – guitar
Percy Jones – bass guitar, marimba (5), acoustic bass guitar (7)
Robin Lumley – keyboards
Phil Collins – drums, percussion
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Jack Lancaster – soprano saxophone
Production
Brand X & Dennis MacKay
Track List
1. Nuclear Burn (6:20)
2. Euthanasia Waltz (5:39)
3. Born Ugly (8:13)
4. Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria (4:26)
5. Unorthodox Behaviour (8:25)
6. Running on Three (4:37)
7. Touch Wood (3:03)
