Brand X - "Jam" with Fusion Jazz

Brand X was a jazz fusion band active between 1975–1980 and 1992–1999. Noted members included John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass), Robin Lumley (keyboards), and Phil Collins (drums). Goodsall and Jones were the sole constant members throughout the band's existence. Brand X started in 1975 as a "jam" band signed by Island Records' Richard Williams. Williams A&R man Danny Wilding wrote down the name "Brand X" to keep track of their activity on the studio calendar and the name stuck. The initial lineup consisted of Goodsall, Jones and Lumley, along with guitarist Pete Bonas and drummer John Dylan. Shortly after the band's formation, Dylan was replaced by Phil Spinelli, who left Brand X shortly thereafter along with Bonas. During this time the band made several unreleased studio recordings at Island Records' Basing Street studio.

Genesis drummer Phil Collins replaced Spinelli and in early 1976 Unorthodox Behaviour was released to coincide with an extensive UK tour. Collins had previously taken over lead vocals from Peter Gabriel in Genesis starting with the 1976 album A Trick of the Tail. Due to Genesis schedules conflicting with those of Brand X, Collins would depart the band on several occasions, before departing permanently in 1979.

Percussionist Morris Pert was added to the lineup later for the follow-up Moroccan Roll (1977). The band had previously employed other percussionists, including Gaspar Lawal,[2] Bill Bruford and Preston Heyman, all of whom had operated in an unofficial capacity within the band. Also in 1976 the album Marscape was released by Jack Lancaster and Robin Lumley featuring Jones, Goodsall & Collins of Brand X. In early 1977, Brand X needed a replacement drummer for Collins due to conflicting schedules with Genesis (although Collins would rejoin the band later in the year) and Kenwood Dennard of Pat Martino's group was recruited in New York, making his debut on the band's US tour (a 32-date affair in May and June 1977) and appearing on part of the live album Livestock (1977). Collins came back to the fold for a series of dates in September 1977 including two appearances on the same day in London (Crystal Palace garden party) and Paris (Fete de l’Humanite) where they played 2nd to last before an audience numbering over 230,000. This was the first time a band ever played two open-air shows in different countries on the same day. A second US tour followed late in the year, again with Dennard replacing Collins on drums. The following year saw the departure of Lumley and Dennard, the band recruited keyboardist J. Peter Robinson and drummer Chuck Burgi, following which they recorded their third album, Masques (1978). A good biography on ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_X ) where I borrowed these words...

Um grande projeto paralelo do baixinho Phil Collins. Um fusion jazz de primeira...

Palhinha:

Brand X - 1975 Unorthodox Behavior

Unorthodox Behaviour is the first album by British jazz fusion group Brand X. It peaked at 191 on The Billboard 200 in 1976, the same year it was release. This album combines jazz fusion with some elements of progressive rock, influenced by their drummer Phil Collins, shows extensive use of improvisation in the extended pieces, which is common in both genres of music. Collins' drum work is very fast and rhythmic and show a difference in his style from his main band Genesis. Tracks like "Nuclear Burn" and "Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria" are really a showcase for his drum work. Guitarist John Goodsall plays a primarily melodic element, yet he dallies with the solo lines of guitar and intricate off-kilter themes on the second song “Euthanasia Waltz”. Bassist Percy Jones and keyboard player Robin Lumley are also very capable members of the band on each of their respective instruments.

Band:

John Goodsall – acoustic and electric guitars

Robin Lumley – keyboards, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Moog synthesizer

Percy Jones – Fender fretless Jazz Bass, marimba (5), acoustic bass (7)

Phil Collins – drums, vibes (2), lead vocal (1)

Brand X - 1977 Morrocan Roll

Moroccan Roll (1977) is the second studio album by British jazz fusion group Brand X. The title is a pun referring to this being their second album: "more rock and roll", however, Moroccan Roll is not a step toward the rock & roll side of the fusion equation, but rather an experiment with Eastern sounds and softer textures. The album is mostly instrumental; only "Sun in the Night" is sung by Phil Collins.

Band:
John Goodsall – guitar, bass, vocals (1), sitar, echo
Robin Lumley – keyboards, piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Moog synthesizer, Clavinet, vocals
Percy Jones – bass, autoharp (7), marimba (8)
Phil Collins – drums, vocals (1,3), piano (3)
Morris Pert – percussion and a vast number of bits and things that he hit while the tape was running, including: The QE2, Idi Amin, and undiscovered parts of Scotland