Brand X Unorthodox Behaviour CD

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 Choose Brand X!
When it comes down to wide appealing consistency Brand X succeeded where other British jazz rock bands failed. Ian Carr struggled with the revolving band member door that was Nucleus as well as a bout of ill health somewhere in between, Gary Boyle's Isotope simply sucked, but Brand X had a chemistry and the added bonus of having Genesis drummer Phil Collins behind them. Collins was hardly the lead player in the band but his profile as both musician and a sometime producer was enough to help Brand X rise the ladder a few notches but regardless, Brand X were a group playing on the same page and possibly the most rewarding of all British fusion acts in terms of consistency in the music if never as free playing as Ian Carr's outfit Nucleus, but comparing both acts may be a little wide so I'll leave it at that. [i]Unorthodox Behaviour[/i] fits seamlessly into the swell of the jazz rock canon of the mid to late seventies. The album is smoothly produced, every instrument is clear and precise and evenly placed, tightly executed and the tunes are refreshing and vibrant, which is something, as by the late seventies jazz/fusion tended to become repetitive or just overblown with ego, but all credit to Brand X they made some well crafted music. John Goodsall played with Atomic Rooster but we'll forgive him for that as he lays down a fine fluid guitar sound on tracks with great titles including "Nuclear Burn", "Euthanasia Waltz" and "Smacks Of Euphoric Hysteria" which are thankfully as interesting as their titles. The band would stretch out on further releases, especially with the next album Moroccan Roll, but Unorthodox Behaviour is a a good start.
Submitted by philipbourke (Cork, Ireland)
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 Frantic Exhibition
Brand X, along with Return To Forever, Al DiMeola, and early Jean Luc Ponty, is one of the pioneers of Jazz Fusion. Anyone that recognizes and appreciates these performers will surely appreciate the jaw-dropping talent displayed on this and other Brand X recordings. Enjoy
Submitted by Dean (S. Lake Tahoe, CA)
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 Not for the weak!
I had first heard this album in the 70's when it first came out. It's definately not for the typical listener who listens to the radio for musical education (if there is such a thing). Usually those who think that there's "too much going on" as far as the instrumentation is concerned are fairly ignorant of musically complex yet melodic material and are probably overwhelmed by the guitar solo on Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to expand their appreciation of quality music that actually takes a bit of concentration and focus to listen to.
Submitted by John jmdnla (Los Angeles, CA)
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 Promising Beginnings
Unorthodox Behaviour was a great start for a band that was to be one of the great pioneers for Jazz-Fushion. All the tracks are well put together and there is never a dull moment. It’s speaks volumes for the quality of this album that half these tracks were the backbone in their live set for the next three years. If you want to start on odyssey on this genre this would be a very good place to start – you will not be disappointed.
Submitted by a reviewer (North of England)
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 I'd rather be branded on my backside.
Brand X found fame as the band that Genesis percussion maestro played drums for...as well as Genesis...and his solo career... And that's about the only interesting thing that anyone could say about the X's. If bland instrumentals played over-fussily by musical-snob beardy-weirdies does ti for you then this album should be on your xmas list.
Submitted by a reviewer (Somewhere in England)
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