Jazz X Pop? [Import]

1. Japanese Title

2. Distance

3. Sunnyside

4. Tea For Two

5. So In Love

6. Japanese Title

7. Chuo Freeway

8. Tokutou-Seki

9. Why Not?

10. Blue Moon

Tracks:

Turnabout
Cinnamon Sugar
Eastern Sky
Kid Zero
My Love's Leavin'
Screenplay
Twilight Touch
Be My Lover
Sunday Morning

Customer Reviews:

For play , and play and play.......2007-07-12

I have been a fan of Bob James for decades now. I hear his old records today as if they were just produced . The same will happen with this one. A gem in all aspects.

do they stop ?.......2007-05-20

These guys have a combined age of over 200 and still they continue to write such great tunes . Eastern sky will shock even the hard 4play fans

Most likely their best effort to date.......2007-03-27

With each subsequent CD, it seems like Fourplay gets better and better. 'Turnabout' brings back memories of the first few CDs they released when they had Lee Ritenour on guitar. Even Steve Winwood would have to admit that Michael McDonald gives new texture to 'My Love's Leavin'. This band has been making great music since 1991. If this is your first Fourplay purchase, it will make you want to buy each of the previous nine CDs; even the offering of Christmas music!

Get This In Your CD Player .......2007-03-27

Any person that knows smooth jazz will tell you that these four guys by themselves are major forces on their own. But when they combine their incredible talents for a project..well here is the result.. "X"
This is pure listening enjoyment. Not one bad song is on this one. Whether you are in your car or sitting at home with a glass of Scotch(my favorite!) this is one that will not disappoint. Larry Carlton shines on guitar as always and the keyboard work of Bob James just sets it off. Nathan East adds his class on bass and the drum work of Harvey Mason is what makes these songs just flow together like a perfect day. Incredible sounds that will only have leave you saying at the end why did they only put nine songs on this.

Easy on your ears........2007-03-25

Fourplay return with their tenth set that oozes the quality and accomplished playing you would expect.
Cuts like Bob James' "Turnabout" and the breezy "Eastern Sky" epitomize what Fourplay is about.
Michael McDonald adds his distinctive vocals to the dramatic ballad "My Love's Leavin".
Check the flowing Jazz jaunt "Screenplay" on which James' playing is particularly expressive.
The band's trademark light touch and melodic focus characterise this set that is their finest for many years.

Average customer rating:

Not what I expected, but it is very good.
More Rocken Roll
Does Scotland Really Have Undiscovered Parts?
MACROCOSM
It's only Moroccan Roll (but I like it, like it, yes I do)

Morrocan Roll
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Unorthodox Behaviour
Masques
Livestock
Product
Do They Hurt?

ASIN: B000000HRU
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Sun In The Night
Why Should I Lend You Mine (When You've Broken Yours Off Already...)
...Maybe I'll Lend You Mine After All
Hate Zone
Collapsar
Disco Suicide
Orbits
Malaga Virgen
Macrocosm

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected, but it is very good........2007-01-28

I purchased this album based on the sound clips, the cover art ( a western world man walking down a Moroccan street) and the album title ( 'Morooccan' Roll). I was expecting a mix of Moroccan world music and rock/fusion. The first song "Sun In The Night' is very much what I had expected, the rest of the album is not. I was a bit disapointed at first, but what is here is some SUPERB 70's fusion music. The playing is totally hot on a true virtuoso level, and this album really grew on me. I am a big fan of any kind of jam music Jazz, Rock Fusion, whatever and there are many great moments on this album. It is hard to believe that at one time people made this kind of music. On this album Phil Collins does what he does best - play fantastic drums. I don't konow the other musicians, but the play great as a unit. This was a great accidental find.

More Rocken Roll.......2005-07-01

This is Brand X's thrid album second is you never heard of Livestock. When I first got this cd after listening to the triumpent Unorhtodox Behaviour,and when I listened to the opening song Sun In the Night I thought what the heck happened. You could hear little parts of Brand X waiting to make the song into a jam which does happen at the end with one of the best sitar solos I ever hear. But the song did grow on me making it a favorite. Why Should I Leand You Mine is a funkish mellow song with a comptempary rift,then I goes to this quiet middle part with light drumming by Collins. Slowly the track builds up and up with Jones bass getting heavier and Goodsalls guitar going into overdive. It sounds like it could be on Works 2 by ELP. The piano piece is next with some echo light vocals and turning into the next song Hate Zone. Hate Zone opens with a drum solo,Lumleys atmosphereic synth seeps in,then this funky rift comes in which explodes to the best funk slapping bass and guitar I ever heard. Collapsar has got a Tubuluar Bells sound with jungle overtones. That brings us to Lumley's composition Disco Suicide which really cooks the it turns from a fun nimble sound to a minor overtune back to the rift.It ends up with scatish vocals by Collins and some beatish music by the band. Orbits shows so wierd technique by Jones even using chromatic power chords in there too. His next composition is a the off-the-wall Malaga Virgen with the tempo being so insanly fast and a spookish middle part soon to leave you wanting more. The epic Macrocosm opens with arpeggiated chord playing with lush keyboards by Lumley with the occacional interuption by Goodsall for his slick acostic runs. It turns into the basic fusion jam which the tempo being pounded out with hi-hat and snare, and the basic blindingly fast pace duet solo by between keyboards and guitar. A song very simular to that one is Kohoutek by Journey. Another outstanding album by Brand X.

Does Scotland Really Have Undiscovered Parts?.......2004-10-14

Brand X's second album hits the ground running, managing to artfully straddle the line between progressive rock and fusion quite beautifully.

This also saw ace percussionist Morris Pert coming onboard to add additional textures to the bands already thickening sound (he's been know to hit not only percussive implements but also the QE-2, Idi Amin and undiscovered parts of Scotland). Compositionally, this is one fo the strongest outings, not to mention one of the most diverse from this band.

"Sun In The Night" begins on an Indian/Middle Eastern note with Phil Collins singing in Sanskrit and guitarist John Goodsall taking a thrash at some sitar, quite fun to listen to as Phil propels it along with HUGE drum fusillades! The slowly building and morphing "Why Should I Lend You Mine---"/Maybe I'll Lend You Mine Afterall" is a compelling experiment in layering and building on a relatively simple motif, with Lumley and Goodsall getting off some good exchanges.

"Hate Zone" just roars out of the gate, starting with a great drum solo from Phil (not many songs start with one, and this is a fine example of how to do it properly), from there, it turns into a stomping angular funk/rock workout with a catchy Clavinet figure from Robin Lumley, one of my favorite tracks on the disc. Lumley gets ina spacey interlude with "Collapsar" pathing the way for "Disco Suicide", clearly one the disc's high points, great catchy melodies, fiery tempo changes and Percy Jones laying down some great rolling, loping basslines and harmonic swoops (the only complaint I have is that Percy's bass sounds a bit muddled in the mix, partially due to the instrument he was using at the time, a stock Fender P-bass, he fixed that not long afterwards). "Orbits" features Percy alone with some spooky, angular and heavily treated bass parts. "Melaga Virgen" charges at full speed with Percy galloping like a madman on his fretless and Phil keeping pace with him. Lots of angular melodies fly, Mini-Moogs wail and the band just has a blast with this one.

Closing it out is "Macrocosm", with Goodsall wearing his Mahavishnu Orchestra influences quite noticeably, the tune starts off fierce and ends up positively apocalyptic as Lumley lets forth WWII dive bombers and bombs from a Mellotron with sound effects tapes. Great fun!

A winner, please do grab it!

MACROCOSM.......2004-09-29

I'll let the other glowing reviews speak for themselves, but I'd just like to add one thing: "Macrocosm" is one of the most beautiful and haunting pieces of music I've ever heard, and it affects me deeply every time I listen to it. Even the somewhat dissonant middle section grows on you upon repeated listenings and never fails to impress with its dazzling virtuoso guitar playing. And when this leads full-blast into the triumphant return of the song's main theme, the band settles back into the groove and seems to savor the act of playing for us one of the most emotionally satisfying musical passages that I have ever heard.

It's only Moroccan Roll (but I like it, like it, yes I do).......2004-05-06

Fun, dynamic, inventive and slightly wacky, this is everything a fusion album should be. Despite the prominent presence of Phil Collins this is nothing Genesis had ever dreamed of (and naturally, nothing any Genesis fan should expect to sound like them). I'm not sure I'd call him the leader either, as there are plenty of contributions from all corners. This album covers the whole dynamic range, from slow searching - not the same thing as noodling, mind you - to passages of wild sizzling chemistry and everything in between.

Collins's "Lend You Mine" pair explores some tasty atmospherics amid some of the weirdest free-jazz freakouts you'll ever hear. The opener "Sun in the Night" is delivered with flavors of the East all over, while elsewhere "Malaga Virgen," "Hate Zone" and "Disco Suicide" (I give them good points for that title alone - Zappa, eat yer heart out) burn with enough adrenaline to short-circuit your stereo if you're not careful. The high-octane "Macrocosm" is a small supernova by itself. Every musician shines, filling the songs with little tricks all over the place; single out anyone's single part in any song and you'll find no shortage of fascinating quirks to pay attention to. And yet the whole never quite sounds disjointed or unlistenable; even when they're ranging all over, they never step out of line with each other.

Even with some dated elements, e.g. the Moog sounds that were unavoidable at this point in the 70s, the level of burning energy and fierce creativity at work keeps Moroccan Roll from ever getting stale. I can't imagine any fans of electric fusion a-la the Mahavishnu Orchestra being disappointed with this disc, and anyone with a taste for the offbeat in their instrumental virtuosity will have a field day with this one. Go. Buy. This gem should never be as overlooked as it is.

Masques
Average customer rating:

LOADS O' FUN!!

Band's best work

Masques

Line-Up Change No Problemo For Brand X

Brand X at it's peak!

Masques
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:

Morrocan Roll

Unorthodox Behaviour

Do They Hurt?

Livestock

Product

ASIN: B000000HRT
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

The Poke
Masques
Black Moon
Deadly Nightshade
Earth Dance
Access To Data
The Ghost Of Mayfield Lodge

Customer Reviews:

LOADS O' FUN!!.......2006-11-07

What a fun experience this CD is. It's a blast, at once: jam-rock, and then: jazz fusion, but whatever you choose to call it, it's loads of fun! I've enjoyed these well-arranged compositions, and very well-rehearsed perfomances for 20 years now. It is a brilliantly concieved CD. One can easily tell how much these guys enjoy playing together. What an imagination one must have to contemplate a disc so thoughtful and meditative and then fun and funky at the blink of an eye. Beautiful pieces on here. Masques is a classic fusion album from some very clever and savvy fusion experts..."Brand x-perts".

Band's best work.......2005-12-30

This is a great instrumental work. Deadly nightshade has one of the best emotive guitar solos (by John Goodsall) of all time and ranks up there with some of Jan Akkerman's solos. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

Masques.......2005-12-21

When I first put is record on and listen to The Poke it felt like Brand X was starting to lose their edge I don't know if it is because Collins is gone and Lumley took over on controls instead of his keyboards, but I not complaining about Peter Robinsons and Chuck Burgis skills they make great replacments I'm just talking composition wise. On this song I hear larger riffs and less band interplay. I still enjoy the album but it is less experimental like Moroccan Roll. The bass/piano duet on the title track is a delight and easy listening bleeds in on Black Moon with reminds me of The Pina Colata song I don't know why. Deadly Nightshade returns back to to the old sound with Goodsail burning up the fretboard with his solos. The rest of the songs are good jams, but when I heard the Ghost of Mayfield Logde I was expecting a little more out of the song. Brand X was changing directions and this album really shows it.

Line-Up Change No Problemo For Brand X.......2004-10-22

Brand X's fourth album, 1978's "Masques," saw this outstanding progressive jazz/rock group go through a line-up change. Drummer Phil Collins was too busy touring with Genesis in support of their just-released album, "And Then There Were Three," so Chuck Burgi filled in on the drumkit. Keyboardist Robin Lumley decided to step away from the keyboards and produce the album instead---though I haven't a clue why---and his place was taken by keyboardist Peter Robinson. But both Burgi and Robinson fit the bill perfectly, as "Masques" remains a major highlight in Brand X's catalog. The material is very strong, and the band's performances are sizzling. Standouts include the hard-driving jazz/rock of "The Poke," the gorgeous "Black Moon," the incredible workout "Access To Data," and the spooky fun of "The Ghost Of Mayfield Lodge." Fabulous jams, and awesome music all the way around. Brand X's "Masques" is one of the group's very best releases.

Brand X at it's peak!.......2004-09-22

Compositionally, this has got to be the strongest Brand-X outing, each song has such strong melodic content complimented by the typically sly British wit that had long been their trademark.

The band's sound here is a bit punchier and a bit more colorful, owing to the presence of keyboardist Peter Robinson and all his cool textures, as well as percussionist Morris Pert contributing more compositionally and adding even more cool sounds and various metallic objects. Veteran session drummer Chuck Burgi adds a punchier sound as well, sounding nothing like Phil Collins (who by this point had no time to devote to Brand-X).

All throughout, for me the real star is bassist Percy Jones, not only with his unique stuttering/guttural fretless style but also his compositions. If the disc has one tune that stands head and shoulders above the rest, it would be Percy's "Ghost of The Mayfield Lodge" with its alternately whimsical and spooky melodies and textures. The fun part of this tune is the middle section where Percy and Morris bat spooky phrases back and forth as Peter Robinson conjures up all kinds of cool spook sounds on his synths.

"Deadly Nightshade" is easily my other favorite track here, with the whole band just firing on all cylinders, spinning out colorful melodies, witty interjections and a rip snortin' last few minutes of sheer fusion bliss with a grand ending!

All the other tracks are great fun as well (love that spooky intro to "Earth Dance" a ton!), not a bad one in the bunch.

After this, it would be diver down, as "Product" would demonstrate a year later.

Average customer rating:

A daring debut
This is contemporary jazz
Terrific Debuet
i command you again
Brilliant Jazz/Rock Fusion...And Phil Collins Too

Unorthodox Behaviour
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Morrocan Roll
Livestock
Masques
Product
Do They Hurt?

ASIN: B000000HRP
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Nuclear Burn
Euthanasia Waltz
Born Ugly
Smacks Of Euphoric Hysteria
Unorthodox Behaviour
Running Of Three
Touch Wood

Customer Reviews:

A daring debut.......2006-08-03

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.

This is contemporary jazz .......2006-06-15

For those of us who thought Phil Collins was to be lost in the mass pop culture, think again... that was back in the early 80s when I heard this.. it is mastery distilled

Terrific Debuet.......2005-06-30

This is one of the best albums by an obsured group,and hey Brand X never made a lousy album all terrific.I would call this on of the best fusion supergroups of all time but I don't know who Robin Lumley played for. The album starts with Nuclear Burn and when you hear that opening bass runs you know this group is going to be good.This song also shows Phil Collins shine on the drums who would aspect that. The acostic Waltz is more slow in tempo and the middle is good. The funk-filled Born Ugly is pure energy with a twisted rift,but it goes to this short of ambient state and builds with some nice Godsall guitar work. Smacks of Euthoria is alittle short but has got a rift that leaves on impression. The ticktock drums of Unorthodox Behavior features a building rift call back respone which is fun and goes into a groove. Running in Three is the most tightest track ecspecially at the end which just keeps and keeps starting up. Touch Wood is a great orient influence track with Goodsall running up and down the neckboard,Percy Jones also gives some good rifts on the double bass and uncreditied sax player also jions the fun. This album is great fun to listen and the album was probably fun to make for Brand X. Highly recommended for anyone of any music style.

i command you again.......2004-03-19

i command you again to get this album NOW!!!!!!!

Brilliant Jazz/Rock Fusion...And Phil Collins Too.......2004-01-03

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!

Average customer rating:

Delivering The Goods Live
Brand X: Live!
These guys will kick your ass!
Buy it .
A true Fusion/Prog-Rock classic!

Livestock
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Morrocan Roll
Unorthodox Behaviour
Masques
Do They Hurt?
Product

ASIN: B000000HRQ
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Nightmare Patrol
-Ish
Euthanasia Waltz
Isis Mourning: Part 1
Isis Mourning: Part 2
Malaga Virgen

Customer Reviews:

Delivering The Goods Live.......2004-10-15

Definite proof that Brand-X could deliver the goods in a live setting. This disc was taped at several different shows, thus the drumming split between Phil Collins and Kenwood Dennard.

Overall, I like Collins drumming far better on these tracks, where he lays into it with relentless passion yet doesn't overplay, whereas, Kenwood Dennard goes so overboard at times you almost think the songs could blow apart. But despite that, there's still lots of cool stuff happening here, like the ominous "Nightmare Patrol" featuring a great fretless solo from Percy and a melody line that will give you nightmares for days. "Melaga Virgen" gets the thrashing of its life, and "Euthenasia Waltz" grows some fangs as well. There are also two band improvisations, of which "Isis Mourning" is the more successful. With some more work afterwards, this actually could've turned into a very rich composition. "Ish" has its moments but can't seem to find its legs.

Brand X: Live!.......2004-06-29

Brand X's third album, "Livestock," is a live recording from 1977, capturing the band while they were on tour for their "Moroccan Roll" album. Oddly, three of the five live tracks are original compositions not found anywhere else, with a couple of older Brand X pieces thrown in to round off the album. But it's all great stuff, and "Livestock" shows that Brand X are just as powerful live as they are in the studio. The original jams, "Nightmare Patrol," "Ish," and "Isis Mourning" are all amazing instrumental workouts, as are the band's live renditions of the classics "Euthanasia Waltz" and "Malaga Virgen." Each piece allows each band member to totally strut his stuff. Guitarist John Goodsall, bassist Percy Jones, keyboardist Robin Lumley, percussionist Morris Pert, and the drumming duo of Phil Collins and Kenwood Dennard simply COOK on this album, their musical interplay just plain phenomenal. My only criticism---the album is too darn short! Live Brand X material is scarce, and the 41 minutes of "Livestock," while excellent, still leaves you hungry. Nonetheless, "Livestock" is a tasty live set from Brand X that's guaranteed to blow the doors off you.

These guys will kick your ass!.......2004-03-26

In British Jazz fusion realm, this band is the most famous in Japan,because of Phil Collins.When I first heard this,I was almost shocked to death.The members of this band are all highly skilled musicians.If you buy this disk, you will surely experience the most powerful dynamics of this band.I recommend this to all of the fans of JazzRock ,because this one has a hell of magnetism which pulls you into the deep electric jungle of BRAND X.Take this ,Taste this ,Throw yourself into this thrill !

Buy it ........2001-12-14

Humble Pie "Rocking the Fillmore " / Capt.Beefheart "Trout Mask Replica " / The Band "Rock of Ages " / Edgar Winter's White Trash "Roadworks " / Jimi Hendrix "Isle of Wight" / JJ Cale "5" / Frank Zappa "Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar " / Brand X " Livestock " .

A true Fusion/Prog-Rock classic!.......2001-12-12

The mid '70's were the glory days of progressive rock and jazz rock fusion. Bands like Gentle Giant, Soft Machine, Gong, Passport, and Novus were creating what can now be recognized as hostorically important musical contributions to the rock and jazz lexicon of the 2nd half of the 20th century. Brand X shines noticably in this ecclectic night sky and particularly this album, Livestock, which captures these superb mucians' collaberative effort at their best. Great compositions, wonderfully creative and techincally brilliant soloing and a telepathic muiscal interplay between the musicians make this a great performance by one of the best prog-rock/fusion ensembles of their time.

Average customer rating:

The Title Says It All
Enjoy This Product
One of three top Brand X albums
Prog Rock Fans Will Like This Album
Mahavishnu, RTF and a bit of Monty Python

Product
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Morrocan Roll
Unorthodox Behaviour
Masques
Do They Hurt?
Livestock

ASIN: B000000HRS
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Don't Make Waves
Dance Of The Illegal Aliens
Soho
Not Good Enough-See Me!
Algon (Where An Ordinary Cup Of Drinking Chocolate Costs L8,000,000,000)
Rheses Perplexus
Wal To Wal
...And So To F...
April

Customer Reviews:

The Title Says It All.......2005-08-16

While the four previous Brand-X releases had a consistency and adventurousness to them, "Product" definitely shows obvious signs of Multiple Personality Disorder.

Here, most likely under a lot of pressure from their management (hereafter referred to as "THE MAN"), Brand-X essentially splintered into two bands. The more adventurous half (with Percy Jones in the bass chair and ex Herbie Hancock's Headhunters drummer Mike Clarke), and the "Trying To Have A Hit At Any Cost" half (with Phil Collins and John Giblin on bass) seemed at odds with each other here. The "Phil Collins Half" is seen churning out cheese-whiz pop ("Soho") and even VERRRRRY BAD arena-rock ("Don't Make Waves") and even regurgitated Genesis-lite ("And So To F---").

The 'Adventurous Half" hangs in there with gems like "Not Good Enough, See Me--", "Algon", the pleasantly Pat Metheny-esque "Rhesus Perplexus" and "Dance of The Illegal Aliens". Another odd item is the dual bass feature "Wal to Wal" driven along by a robotic drum machine track.

Listening to this was somewhat difficult for me, in part because of the music and in part for the rather muddy production quality on most of the album.

But anyway, THE MAN may well have led to Brand-X's dissolution in 1980, trying to have it both ways. "Product" does have some worthwhile moments on it, but hardly essential by any stretch.

Enjoy This Product.......2005-03-11

1979's "Product," the fifth album by Brand X, sees the very-welcome return of Genesis drummer & singer Phil Collins to the fold after a one-album break (Phil was busy with Genesis the previous year, so Chuck Burgi stepped in on the drumkit for Brand X's 1978 release,"Masques"). "Product" also sees Brand X swell up into an eight-man line-up, not only band veterans Collins, John Goodsall, Percy Jones, Robin Lumley & Morris Pert but also keyboardist Peter Robinson, bassist John Giblin, and Mike Clarke (though I don't have the info on what Clarke plays on the album, and my CD booklet doesn't say, either). I suspect that Brand X named this album "Product" because the band were trying for a more radio-friendly feel with this release, even including two "proper" songs with vocals & lyrics (95% of the band's music, I'd say, is strictly instrumental). But there's no need to be put off by this, because "Product" is a great disc, featuring the group's incredible knack for whirlwind, progressive jazz-rock fusion & musical chops. The two songs with lyrics, "Don't Make Waves" and "Soho," are both very rockin', and feature excellent vocal performances from Collins ("Soho" was even released as a single---a rarity for Brand X---but it didn't go anywhere). I also enjoy the expert jazz-rock of such tracks as "Dance Of The Illegal Aliens," "Algon," the great grooves of "Wal To Wal," and the ferocious instrumental "And So To F," penned by Phil Collins himself (who totally outdoes himself on the drumkit with this one). The music is terrific, and the band's performances are mindblowing. It's another winner for Brand X! I'm very confident you will enjoy this "Product."

One of three top Brand X albums.......2004-05-24

I am a drummer. And therefore am a bit partial to drums. I prefer music that is mostly percussive. Fusion tends to be more percussive than most. But Brand X (with Phil Collins anyway) always delivers. First of all Phil Collins DOES play drums on ."..and so to f..." also my favorite song here. Phil wrote it, does some vocal rhythmic scatt type stuff on it,percussion, drums. Percy Jones is also on this recording. Sorry, I also like "Don't Make Waves" and "Soho", with Phil's vocals, as I like Genesis too. But they don't really sound like Genesis either. I would rate this as one of the top three Brand X recordings along with 'Unorthodox Behaviour" and "Moroccan Roll". Musicians appearing on this recording are: Mike Clarke (drums on two tracks), Phil Collins (drums on seven tracks), John Goodsall (guitars) John Giblin (Bass on seven tracks), Robin Lumley (keyboards, etc.), Morris Pert (percussion on two tracks), Peter Robinson (keyboards on two tracks), and Percy Jones (bass on three tracks - one of which also has Percy Jones on bass as well). This was basically recorded with two groups of musicians. One group playing "Dance of the Illegal Aliens" and "Not Good Enough", the other group playing the other seven songs. I am a bit partial to this recording however as it was also my first Brand X acquisition. It went very well with the water, sand and beach where I was vacationing at the time. I just enjoyed it very much.

Prog Rock Fans Will Like This Album.......2004-01-06

I do not know much of Brand X's work except what I have heard from "Missing Period" and "Livestock", both very fine fusion recordings.

As a fan of progressive rock and fusion (in that order), I loved this album immediately, since it has the progressive "hooks" - weird time signtures, dreamy interludes, machine-gun staccato runs, interesting compositions with emphasis on group improvization, rather than long self-indulgent solos.

I won't hide that I love the vocal tracks, since the harmonies remind me of Genesis. First off, the album includes the wonderful piece "...And So To F..." This song alone is worth getting the album - it's great symphonic progressive rock at its most glowing, although somewhat simplified - I am listening to it now, and I cannot believe that it has not gotten any airplay, it's just so uplifting and melodic. It has Phil Collins written all over it, although ironically, he does not play on it (?!!) and the guitar work is absolutely delectable. But enough on that. The other tracks are excellent, especially "Dance Of The Illegal Aliens" which is simply on fire, "Not Good Enough" spills over with great ideas, "Algon" is progressive "chop-o-rama" that could make Yes or U.K. green with envy. "April" is a bit of ambient diversion, but tastefully kept to a short 2 minutes, and "Wal To Wal" sounds like the band walked offstage during a live performance, and let the rhythm section relax and have a bit of fun with the drum machine.

Just think of it: this is 1979, when most prog bands, including Genesis were caving in to blatant commercialism, these guys held fast to progressive ideals!

The comparison with "Lounge Jazz" in the other review is absolute rubbish. The criticism was perhaps inspired by "Rhesus", which is a lighter, salsa-like tune with some cool jazzy guitar soloing, this is lean and mean progressive stuff, with no slack whatsoever.

Mahavishnu, RTF and a bit of Monty Python.......2003-10-20

Brand-X was/is a collective of highly talented players, producers and unmentionables who would get together when their individual schedules permitted and make extraordinary music.

Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return To Forever are definitely role models, however, with so many distinctive talents involved, Brand-X gains a personality all it's own.

Did someone say "chops?" "Chop-a-holics" will have kittens with this stuff. (No Chinese restaurant jokes, please).
"Product" was actually recorded at the same time as the follow up release "Do They Hurt?". The pool of players were divided up to form a "day" band and a "night" band, which accounts for the two bass players, drummers etc etc. Consequently, Startling Sound (Ringo Starr's studio) was rolling 24 hours a day for some three weeks to accomodate this onslaught of recording.
Compared to their predecessors, both albums contain a far more eclectic batch of compositions, ranging from trademark Brand-X fusion instrumentals to a couple of prog-rock laced actual songs. And with vocals at that! Good heavens!

Those who have formed religions around Unorthodox Behavior & Moroccan Roll may find this vocal thingie as "going a bit too far".
Personally, I don't find it distracting at all. To me, it keeps faith with the spirit by which the band was formed. That is, to play the music the band wanted and just have a good time. Fun, for heaven's sake! - with chops!

Tracks:

True To The Clik
Stellerator
Virus
XXL
The Worst Man
Manifest Destiny
Five Drops
Drum Ddu
Operation Hearts And Minds
Mr. Goes To Hollywood

Customer Reviews:

Still the Best!!.......2000-10-31

This CD confirms that Brand X continues to be one of the greatest fusion bands ever! Of their prior releases, some are better than others like Unorthodox Behaviour and Morroccan Roll, but none totally disappoint. I was lucky enough to see them live during the early years but had not kept up with the recent CD's until I bought this one. Since buying this disc about a week ago, I've probably played it 10 times! The first three tunes are some of the best Brand X has ever written. These guys put it together so well, I thought the paint was going to melt off the walls!! The other tunes range from good to very good and the more I here them the more I like them as well. As another reviewer stated, you will not be disappointed.

John Shreds.......2000-03-15

The pleasure inherent in listening to John set a fire to his acoustic guitar in "Five Drops" is enough to recommend the album in and of itself however that isn't all the Brand X boys are offering on this album. Their typical tirade of tightly fused jazz and well orchestrated tracks combine with Goodsalls' mercurial guitar style to create the ultimate, and always progressive, jazz fusion style that is expressed in all of Brand Xs' work.

Good Fusion and Flashy Guitar.......1999-10-27

This is a good fusion album, with lots of simple back-beat drumming, great bass work and scorching single-note runs from guitarist John Goodsall. There is a bit of repetition on many of the cuts, but as a whole I enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed the first four tracks, the seventh one and I loved the ninth one, "Operation Hearts and Minds", which is worth the admission alone.

Brand X "gits funky".......1999-09-29

They've done this in the past, back in the days of "Masque" and "Do They Hurt", when where they'll do one or two numbers with a "steppin' out" rhythm (examples: AWB's "Pick Up the Pieces" and Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately"), but fully half of this album has that same quarter note-driven rhythm. It's an interesting mix--that sort of beat behind guitarist Goodsall's crisp tonalities. The track "Virus" at nearly eight minutes is the longest one they've done in at least fifteen years. This album isn't as minimalist as its predecessor "Xcommunication", which was based almost entirely on guitar, bass and drums--they use a session keyboarist occasionally, along with some new MIDI-powered synth and sampler tonalities done by Goodsall (why let Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew hog all the fun?). Oh yeah, there are two bonus tracks here not listed here (or even on a guess-what sticker on the shrinkwrap) which bump the total album time up to 12 tracks and over an hour running time--live versions of one classic from the original period and a drum solo. They sound to me like recent performances rather than archive stuff--the crowd noises sound like club instead of arena. So apparently they're touring again--is there a "Livestock II" in their future?

Inspired, Brand X burns it up again!.......1999-08-23

Don't listen to the first review. This is an incredible album, Brand X's best offering since Masques. The old melodic content and structure are back, with a 90's burn that shows the greatest fusion band ever hasn't stopped growing. You will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Great compilation

The X Tracks: Best of Andy Summers
Andy Summers
Manufacturer: Fuel 2000
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Invisible Threads
One Train Later: A Memoir
Earth + Sky
Andy Summers: Guitar (DVD and Booklet)
The Police - Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out

ASIN: B0007CYETY
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Tracks:

Big Thing
The Diva Station
The Three Marias
Pork Pie Hat/Where Can A Man Find Peace
Boogie Stop Shuffle
Circus
'Round Midnight/Above The World
Think Of One
Footprints
Ruby My Dear
Weird Nightmare
Earth & Sky

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation.......2006-06-08

This is a really good compilation of some of Andy Summers' solo work. Every song is strong and shows his brilliant playing. Many people don't know how innovative Andy Summers is.
The opener "Big Thing" and "Think of One" are highlights for me. "Think of One" is unlike anything I have heard before and inspired me in my own guitar playing and writing.
For those only familiar with Andy's work with The Police, you should know that his guitar work here is outstanding, but it is more progressive and has some jazz leanings.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Do They Groove?
Great Album
Excellent example of early Fusion
Brand X's Act Of Will
Good but not Great.

Do They Hurt?
Brand X
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Masques
Product
Morrocan Roll
Unorthodox Behaviour
Livestock

ASIN: B000000HRR
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Noddy Goes To Sweden
Voidarama
Act Of Will
Fragile
Cambodia
Triumphant Limp
D.M.Z.

Customer Reviews:

Do They Groove?.......2007-06-03

When I got this CD many moons ago, it was my first exposure to the band, (strangely, as it evidently was one of their last efforts before Brand X disbanded and then reformed some years later). Hardly a day goes by without my listening to Do They Hurt from beginning to end. While it lacks the time-signature acrobatics of Unorthodox Behaviour, it's very, very hip, and I still think Noddy Goes To Sweden is quite possibly the coolest tune ever written.

Great Album.......2006-11-07

Being a musician for over 25 years this album has endured my curiousity and my satifaction for it's perfomances. Definetly a must have study for musicians and "musicians Musicians"...

Excellent example of early Fusion.......2005-11-13

I first heard this album back in the early 80's while in college. It sounded great back then, just as Fusion was becoming a recognized genre. Still sounds fresh today.

Brand X's Act Of Will.......2005-07-19

Brand X's 1980 release, "Do They Hurt?", is technically the band's last album featuring all of the major players in the group, such as keyboardists Robin Lumley and Peter Robinson, and, of course, drummer extraordinaire Phil Collins (though he only appears on one track---the drummer on the remaining six tracks I do not know, as my CD booklet doesn't say. Whoever he is, though, he's very good). And while "Do They Hurt?" isn't the greatest thing the band has ever recorded, it's still an excellent Brand X album. Personal faves include the quirky fun of "Noddy Goes To Sweden" (with bassist Percy Jones' magic fingers just *flyin'* all over his instrument), and the great pop-rock of "Act Of Will," one of Brand X's few attempts at an actual song with lyrics. Mind you, I don't know if it was a good idea for guitarist John Goodsall to distort his lead vocal on "Act Of Will" by singing through a vocoder, 'cause, admittedly, it's hard to dicipher what he's actually singing! BUT, I still think that "Act Of Will" is a very catchy, enjoyable tune (and pay no mind to the reviewer who dismissed the song---I don't understand why he has a problem with it). Also worth mentioning are the extended jams of "Triumphant Limp" (featuring Phil Collins on the skins) and "D.M.Z.", both very classy, powerful instrumental workouts. After "Do They Hurt?", the guys in Brand X decided that they had taken the band as far as it could go (or so they thought at the time), and they stopped working together for 12 years, apart from the 1982 collection, "Is There Anything About?", a sparse, hastily tossed-together rarities album (though it's nowhere near as bad as it's been reputed to be). But come 1992, John Goodsall and Percy Jones would revive Brand X (with Frank Katz on drums) with their outstanding comeback album, "X-Communication." But, in the meantime, "Do They Hurt?" is a very strong, solid album for Brand X to end their first phase of work together with. It's good stuff!

Good but not Great........2005-07-04

Brand X's sixth album Do They Hurt has some resemblelence to there mid sevenites past,but some of the songs on this album have a loss of direction. It feels sounds like the two main composers Persey Jones and John Goodsall don't sound like they don't want to work together or have anything thing to do each other when you hear the album. Noddy Goes To Sweeden is just a bass with some elevatorish keyboards with Jones probably speaking the words and reversing them on tape, not that memberable. Voidarama just got a guitar rift in it with no particular solo or fast tempo of the old Brand X. Act of Will is a good pop song with some good music in it, the only thing that takes away from it is the vocoder Goodsall uses to sing and if you can understand the lyrics like "like a turkey with a frozen back" it make the song less inviting. Fragile by Jones is creepy with some difficult rhythms on bass but the song dosen't sound that full musically and it starts to pick up only at the end, but glass breaks when it does. Cambodia has a serious rock feel to it and builds up every minute with some good guitar in it. Triumphant Limp offers this urgent sounding bass rift though out with a rift showing up sometimes,it also has got some nimble band movements in it. It sounds like a updated version of the song Unorthadox Behavior. Finally to the best song on the album with D.M.Z. with this funny piano little rift at the beginning and turns to this solo section with the most difficult I ever heard Jones play that goes to another section for Goodsall to solo. After that the song slowy goes back and builds to where it began. This album is good but if your a die hard fan of Unorthadox to Masqurade avoid this one. But I still recommend it to anyone who loves anything Brand X's does.

Average customer rating:

An Excelent Best Of...
Excellent!

Macrocosm: Introducing...Brand X
Brand X
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Masques
Livestock
A History: 1976-1980
Unorthodox Behaviour
Product

ASIN: B0000AE7AT
Release Date: 2003-08-04

Tracks:

Hate Zone
Sun in the Light
Nuclear Burn
Euthanasia Waltz [Live]
Don't Make Waves
...Maybe I'll Lend You Mine After All
Algon (Where an Ordinary Cup of Drinking Choclate Costs 8,000,000 ...
Black Moon
Isis Mourning, Pts. 1-2
...and So to F...
Touch Wood
Voidarama
Macrocosm

Customer Reviews:

An Excelent Best Of..........2007-06-01

This is a great CD covering the Best of Brand X. Even If you don't know them, get it just for a listen to the song " ...and so to f...". One of the best in the Rock Business and the best from Brand X. It's kind of Jazzy, Progressive and real Rock.

Excellent!.......2004-02-19

This is a compilation of the best,..... well, my favorite songs on different Brand X albums. I recommend this cd to anyone who has never listened to Brand X. Then, if you like them, you will probably end up getting all the cd's. I have most of the LP's and am buying this so that I can listen to my favorites away from home. Brand X is one of the more percussive and melodic jazz fusion groups. They angle more towards the sound of classical (aka symphonic, art, or progressive) rock than traditional jazz. A great compilation.

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