Customer Reviews

Unorthodox Behavior

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
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Brand X is the progressive jazz/rock fusion group that Phil Collins played drums for in the late 70's during his breaks from Genesis. Although there's no question about Phil's awesome drumming with Genesis, Brand X allowed Phil to *really* cut loose on the drumkit, free-form style. In fact, Phil felt that he had so much freedom playing with Brand X, that he momentarily considered leaving Genesis. As Phil himself put it, "Genesis was the wife, and Brand X was the mistress, and I just wanted to take my clothes off and live a bit!" However, Genesis started to loosen up musically around the late 70's, toning down their art-rock leanings and going more towards the rock mainstream, which ultimately convinced Phil to stay with the wife and say goodbye to the mistress.But Phil did record four studio albums (plus a live album) with Brand X between 1976 and 1980, and he also toured with the band in 1979 (though Brand X would carry on, off and on, through 1997). The group's first album, "Unorthodox Behaviour," is a stunning debut disc. Phil, guitarist John Goodsall, bassist Percy Jones, and keyboardist Robin Lumley have musical chemistry that's simply explosive. "Nuclear Burn" is just as barnburning as it's title suggests, "Euthanasia Waltz" is a sparkling laid-back jam, and "Born Ugly" is funky with a capital F. Also groovy are "Smacks Of Euphoric Hysteria" & "Running On Three," the title track is a steady, assured rocker, and the closing "Touch Wood" is a samba-flavored beauty. Goodsall delivers some fiery guitarwork, Jones is a monster on the bass, Lumley's keyboard-playing is superb, and, of course, what needs to be said about Phil's drumming---he's fantastic. I wish more people knew about Phil's work with this outstanding fusion band. Like I've always said, Phil Collins is first and foremost a *drummer*, and if Genesis and Phil's solo work can't convince his detractors of this, then his astonishing playing with Brand X most certainly can. Not only that, but Brand X---Goodsall, Jones, Lumley, and Collins---were simply an awesome band. "Unorthodox Behaviour" is a terrific debut album from one of music's best-kept-secret groups. Definitely start your Brand X collection with this one!

Life is not without ironies and this album confirms again one of rock's most interesting ones. As if his work with Genesis were not proof enough of his musical talent, Phil Collins' drumming in this album is bound to leave most drummers and non-drumming music fans speechless, as he glides through the tracks of this album by Brand X, his side project in the late seventies.

One could think that something just went terribly wrong with Phil, causing him to throw his musical creativity down a deep hole when the eighties kicked in, and throw himself in the hands of commercial pop and musical recycling for a very long embrace that sadly lasts to this day. In any case, there's plenty of musical testimonies to what his musical genius was for a good decade and so, and his works with Brand X is one of them.

Brand X is the brainchild of Phil Collins and Atomic Rooster's guitarist John Goodsall (same band where Emerson Lake and Palmer's Carl Palmer came), and in spite of what you'd be inclined to think, their contributions were not the only brilliant moments of this -by most considered their best- album. 'Unorthodox Behaviour' bridges the gap between jazz fusion and prog rock in a way that is unbelievable, walking a fine line (invisible, some might argue) without tumbling, and maintaining a cohesive and well crafted sound that gives the album a well deserved five stars.

This IS possibly the best Brand X album that features Phil Collins drumming on it. The whole album front to back is packed with some incredible jams and solos. Song in which stand-out on this album are "Born Ugly", "Euthanasia Waltz", and "Unorthodox Behaviour". If you like Jazz, Rock or if you even like to Funk you'll definitely dig every inch of this. Another album to check out is entitled "Marscape" which is technically the first recordings of Brand X before they recorded under that name. The album is extremely hard to get a hold of in this country. If you ever come across it on vinyl it's definitely worth picking up. For me it's the start of the Brand X trip. It was recorded under John Lancaster and Robin Lumley but includes John Goodsall, Phil Collins and Morris Pert.

Brand X truly marked the spot on "Unorthodox Behaviour", their first album. This group showed they could meld their unique style of intricate jazz with an over the top, baroquesque flavor of progressive rock, which, when these two genres meet head on, make for an interesting listen. After having already spent a few years with Genesis, Phil Collins most likely felt his drumming style within that particular group was lacking the type of creativity he demanded (although you have to admit his drumming on the Gabriel-era Genesis albums is nothing short of spectacular, either). With Brand X, he could now show off his creativity in a unique style all his own, and it definitely shows in Collins' first outing with the band. His fast-paced drum rolls, present in such tracks as "Nuclear Burn" and "Smacks Of Euphoric Hysteria" are a real treat to the ears (ear candy, if you will), and shouldn't be taken at "face value", if you'll pardon the expression. "Born Ugly" is anything but (ugly), and has a rather charming and mysterious quality to it, nonetheless. Percy Jones's bass playing is also mind-blowing. One listen to the CD's title track, and you'll see (and hear) what I mean. The title track features a unique and different side to Brand X, in that they can really funk out with great timing and precision. What's more, guitarist John Goodsall brings some of his Average White Band influences to "Unorthodox Behaviour" as well, which adds yet another multi-dimensional side to this band. This AWB-influenced sound can be found in a fair number of the tracks here, including "Nuclear Burn" and "Born Ugly". Robin Lumley's keyboard and piano playing carries with it such depth and magical stardust wizardry, and is the perfect crowning touch to Collins', Goodsall's and Jones's "unorthodox" jams - the cherry on top of the tasty, proverbial sundae, if you will. Phil Collins' exquisite drumming intricacies, as featured on "UB", can also be felt on his next two releases with Genesis: "A Trick Of The Tail" and "Wind And Wuthering" - moreso on the former than the latter (although "UB" came out immediately after "ATTOT", but "UB" was recorded just before "...Trick...", as the dates in both the "UB" and (UK edition) "ATTOT" CD booklets will attest to that fact). Brand X's next effort, "Moroccan Roll", would prove to be a weaker effort compared to "Unorthodox Behaviour", most likely as a result of the band's "incoherent noodling" on that particular release. As far as "UB" is concerned, not only does "X" unanimously mark the spot, but is guaranteed to come out in the wash stain-free as well, even after repeated spins!

In the mid seventies jazz-fusion was at it's peak and there was no shortage of quality records being released. For me, one of the fusion bands that stood out was Brand X. Their music was captivating, all band members were tremendous talents, but most importantly, they had an original sound. Thirty years after it's release, this debut disc still is amazing and would be a great introduction to this band. John Goodsall shreds with the best of them but his soothing guitar work is just as striking. The chirping tones that Percy Jones creates on his fretless bass are unmistakable. Robin Lumley enhances it all by playing the perfect keyboard riff at the right time, and Phil Collins, on a break from Genesis, laid down some exciting drumming, maybe some of the best he has ever done. Enjoy.

After listening to this record in high school, I was left in no doubt that Phil Collins was the 2nd most ferocious drummer on the planet (after his idol Billy Cobham), Percy Jones the greatest bass player and John Goodsall, the most ragingly fast guitarist who ever smoked wood. The maximum, vintage impresario, elastic cerebelum Goodsall performance is right here on "Born Ugly." The musicianship is extremely high and the band concept at that time was highly original. They do not sound or play like any other band, period. Predictably, as with most great groups, they were able to consistently maintain that high a level on only 3 records (this, "Morrocan Roll," and "Livestock") with occasinal returns to top form such as the unbelievable track "Deadly Nightshade" on "Masques." On this record, more so than on the others, Phil's drums are right in front of the mix and LOUD, making for a very flashy display everytime he whirls himself around the set.

I have been listening to the English jazz rock group Brand X for a long time now and this was the album I started with. This 1976 debut by the group is fantastic and presents a neat twist on the jazz rock theme. That is, while the band is largely indebted to the breakneck tempos and thunderous volume of groups like the Mahavishnu Orchestra circa 1971-1973, I can also hear traces of the English Canterbury bands and experimental composers like Brian Eno (most likely stemming from the involvement of Phil Collins and Percy Jones on Brian's Another Green World album from 1975).

The lineup on Unorthodox Behaviour includes Phil Collins (drums and percussion), Robin Lumley (keyboards, synthesizers), John Goodsall (electric and acoustic guitars) and Percy Jones (fretless electric bass).

Like many of the jazz rock musicians these guys were world class musicians and possess dazzling technical skill. Of course as a huge Genesis fan I was especially pleased by the presence of Phil and he demonstrates throughout why he "was" considered to be among the finest drummers in rock. As a bassist myself, I have always liked Percy Jones - he has a very distinctive style that at times, seems like he is completely out of control. I am also happy that he does not use the fretless bass in a traditional sense, i.e., glissandos and instead plays the instrument as if it were fretted. John Goodsall is a criminally underappreciated guitarist and his approach is largely indebted to the style of virtuoso John McLaughlin (from Mahavishnu Orchestra).

Musically, this album presents a heady blend of wild, full-throttle jazz rock, some quieter experimentation highly reminiscent of the music off of Another Green World, and aspects of the Canterbury style. There are nice dynamic contrasts (including nice acoustic sections) and the compositions are very interesting - in this respect, I wish that the keyboardist had more of a presence. Although not something I normally discuss when reviewing an album, there were moments when I actually found myself tapping my foot - particularly on the more "swinging" pieces. Phil was instrumental in this respect and as he was so fond of saying, really "got behind" these pieces and simply grooved. The album closes on an interesting note with the quiet, earthy textures of Touch Wood.

This reissue features pretty skimpy liner notes and while the overall sound quality is excellent, there was some slight distortion on the drums, particularly when Phil is smashing away on a "China-boy" type cymbal. Indeed, when Phil really gets cooking on the lower kit (bass drum/floor toms etc) I can also hear some slight distortion. Apart from my nitpicking however, this really is a well-recorded album.

All in all, this is an excellent example of jazz rock fusion that is different from the standard jazz rock affair and is very highly recommended. Another cool (and recommended) album is Another Green World by Brian Eno. Although very different than the music on Unorthodox Behaviour, the album features great interplay between Phil and Percy on a few tunes.

This is the best Brand X album by far. Phil Collins' playing is inspiring for all drummers, no matter if they are rock, jazz, funk (like myself), or whatever. If you are a drummer or know a drummer, buy this album and listen to it as a tool to give you a fresh perspective the next time you sit down behind your drum set. Best track: Born Ugly.

I heard this album way back in high school (1977). I was unaware it was released on CD. This, and the other Brand X recordings, are altogether forgotten gems in the realm of 70's jazz-rock fusion. Absolutly a must for music afficianado's.

Phil Collins at his absolute progressive druming best! For anyone who only began listening to Phil in the 80's Pop era, this is his ultimate DRUM recoring. His stick speed, finesse, and odd time signatures drive every composition on the recording. And why he is "FILL" Collins. Oh, and the other "musicians" in the group are amazing too...