Brand X were a jazz fusion band formed in London in 1974. They were active until 1980, followed by a reformation between 1992 and 1999, and were active following a 2016 reunion until 2021. Members have included John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass), Robin Lumley (keyboards), and Phil Collins (drums). Jones was the sole constant member throughout the band’s existence until October 2020 when he left the band. Founding member Goodsall died on 11 November 2021.
In 1974, rehearsals began for developing a five-piece instrumental jazz fusion group at Island Studios in London, which was set to include Percy Jones on bass and Phil Collins (of Genesis) on drums. They had secured a recording deal with Island Records and prepared tracks for a studio album which originally included vocals. However, the vocals were negatively received from Island management, leaving the group to write new material,[5] at the suggestion of Island A&R man Richard Williams.
With Collins tied up with other commitments, the band settled on a founding line-up of Jones, John Goodsall on guitar, Robin Lumley on keyboards and vocals, Pete Bonas on guitar, John Dillon on drums and percussion, and Phil Spinelli on percussion and lead vocals. Dillon had left by the end of 1974, and a newly available Collins took his place in 1975. The four recorded Unorthodox Behaviour in September and October 1975 at Trident Studios with Jack Lancaster on saxophone. They were named Brand X after Island Records staffer Danny Wilding wrote down “Brand X” to keep track of their activity on the studio calendar, and the name stuck. In preparation for their upcoming gigs, the four were joined by Geoff Seopardi on percussion by December 1975. Genesis manager Tony Smith became their manager.
Brand X played their first gigs with a series of low key warm-up shows in November and December 1975. These were followed by a full-scale tour across the UK from February 1976, mainly on the college circuit. They had little funds, resorting to renting a synthesiser and PA system, operated with a small road crew, and often played support for the headlining act. Moroccan Roll was released in April 1977 and peaked at No. 37 in the UK and No. 125 in the US. With Collins leaving the group for other commitments, Kenwood Dennard of Pat Martino’s group was recruited in New York City in time for their 32-date US tour in May and June 1977. Collins briefly returned later in 1977 for a series of dates, including a spot at the tenth Crystal Palace Garden Party in London and the Fête de l’Humanité in Paris on the same day on a specially chartered plane, the latter attended by an estimated 200,000 people.
Following the 1977 tour, the band would recruit keyboardist Peter Robinson and Chuck Burgi on drums to record the Masques album. Released in 1978, it was the first and only Brand X album during the period to not feature Phil Collins on drums. The band would once again embark on a tour to promote this album in 1978, with a couple different drummers in place of Chuck Burgi. The next year, 1979, signalled the end of Brand X’s recording sessions for over 10 years. It was in this time that they would record Product that same year, Do They Hurt? in 1980, and 1982’s Is There Anything About?.Following the completion of the recording sessions, the band embarked on a world tour, following which Collins departed for the final time. Clark returned to the drum stool, and the band toured the UK in April and May 1980 (co-headlining with Bruford).
With the passing of John Goodsall, Percy Jones and Robin Lumley confirmed on Facebook, on 14 November 2021, that the Brand X name is now officially retired. No further activity will be done under that name.
Product is the fourth studio album by British jazz fusion group Brand X, originally released in 1979. It features primary member Phil Collins back once again on drums following his absence on Masques. Drummer Mike Clark and bassist John Giblin also appear on this album. (wikipedia)
Brand X’s most eclectic album to date, Product is perhaps most notable for its attempts at a pop crossover in the Phil Collins-sung “Don’t Make Waves” and “Soho.” The range of styles presented here — hard and soft fusion, pop, progressive rock — results from the now-interchangeable nature of the Brand X lineup, which, in addition to the returning Collins and Robin Lumley, is expanded to include bassist John Giblin and drummer Mike Clarke (Chuck Burgi having left after Masques). While the pop songs have a tart, new wave sound to them that is oddly ingratiating, they’re likely to leave longtime fans scratching their heads. (Genesis fans may hear in “Soho” the musical inspiration for “Illegal Alien,” and in Percy Jones’ “Dance of the Illegal Aliens” its titular inspiration.) Despite the presence of the original quartet — Collins, Goodsall, Lumley, Jones — the four don’t appear together on Product, although Goodsall is present for all but one song (the lone pairing of fretless bassists Percy Jones and John Giblin on “Wal to Wal”).
Many of this album’s tracks have found a place in the band’s career retrospectives, including the airy fusion of “Dance of the Illegal Aliens” and the engaging “Algon.” While Mike Clarke’s impact on the music often goes unnoticed, John Giblin adds a new dimension to the band’s sound with two soft, evocative songs: “Rhesus Perplexus” (in which Goodsall’s acoustic guitar crosses into Pat Metheny territory) and “April.” The remaining tracks, “Not Good Enough — See Me!” and “…And So to F…,” are pleasant instrumentals with a more prominent role for the percussion; Collins thought enough of the latter to include a live version of it on a couple of 12″ singles from his subsequent solo career. By nearly doubling the band’s size, Product is able to indulge in an interesting game of musical chairs that occasionally overshadows the music itself. The band clearly has talent to spare, but can’t seem to agree where to strike. (by Dave Connolly)
Personnel:
Phil Collins (drums, percussion, vocals)
John Giblin (bass)
John Goodsall (guitar)
Robin Lumley (keyboards, sound effects)
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Mike Clark (drums on 02., 08. + 10.)
Percy Jones (bass on 02., 07., 08., 10. + 11.)
Morris Pert (percussion on 02., 08. + 10..)
Peter Robinson (keyboards. sound effects on 02., 08., 10. + 11.)
Tracklist:
01. Don’t Make Waves (Goodsall) 5.31
02. Dance Of The Illegal Aliens (Jones) 7.50
03. Soho (Goodsall/Collins) 3.44
04 …And So to F… (Collins) 6.29
05. Algon (Where an Ordinary Cup of Drinking Chocolate Costs £8,000,000,000) (Lumley) 6.11
06. Rhesus Perplexus (Giblin) 4.02
07. Wal To Wal (Jones/Giblin) 3.15
08. Not Good Enough – See Me! (Jones/Robinson) 7.31
09. April (Giblin) 2.07
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10. Noddy Goes To Sweden (Single B-side) (Jones) 4.30
11. Pool Room Blues (Single B-side) (Collins/Goodsall/Lumley/Giblin/Robinson/Jones) 3.02
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