Brand X
Unorthodox Behaviour (1976)
Everyone knows Phil Collins as 'the bloke who sang Sussudio' or 'that fuckwit with the shitty fucking Disney songs who RUINED MUSIC'. Fewer people, but still a substantial proportion, know Collins as 'the dude who was the drummer for prog legends Genesis but then when Peter Gabriel left he took over as the singer'.
Even less people know that Phil Collins is all of those, but also was, for a few years, the drummer for a jazz fusion band called Brand X.
This album is their debut. It's also the second jazz album I've listened to consecutively, and in my view, it's far jazzier than Miles Davis' In A Silent Way, though not as influential or experimental.
The Album
First and foremost, the four members of Brand X are all phenomenal musicians. Collins' drum work at times is mindblowing; it can be somewhat difficult to reconcile the knowledge that this man, who flies around his kit with Flash-like speed, is the same dude who sang You'll Be In My Heart. Guitarist John Goodsall is a proper jazz guitarist, lots of dexterous flood-of-note solos and licks that make a Rock Band player week, bassist Percy Jones wrings a unique sound out of his bass and is remarkably gifted, and finally keyboard player Robin Lumley switches between keys and piano throughout the album, adding deft touches of class.
The first three tracks are outstanding cuts. Nuclear Burn might as well be called This Is The Phil Collins Show because he dominates the track from start to finish. Lightning fast jazz work is laced throughout, with some crazy fills, snappy hi-hat work and a remarkable tightness with Jones' bass. Typically for a jazz album, it's full of technically awesome solos, and apart from Collins, Goodsall also delivers a highlight on his guitar. Following that is Euthanasia Waltz, which is more about Goodsall and Jones than Collins (even if he throws in a few savagely quick tom rolls that leave you breathless). Jones' bass solo here simply has to be heard; his bass is unlike any other I've heard. The third track, Born Ugly, is a contender for best track on the album. There's wah guitar, an off-time jazz piano solo, another wonderful guitar solo from Goodsall....all wrapped up in a very standard jazz exploration, full of solos and expressive instrumental sections. Only Collins is withdrawn here, taking a back seat and playing a jazz timekeeper; still some snappy hi-hat work, lots of snare drags and a few quick fills, but nothing as wondrous as on the first two tracks.
After that, however, the quality takes a bit of a drop. Sure, Running on Three is a tight, jazz/pop song, and Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria has some more great work from Collins, but the title track is, in all honesty, fairly boring, while closing track Touch Wood is kind of pointless; it feels like the introduction to a song rather than a whole song itself. It's a disappointing end to a promising start.
The Verdict
For people who love listening to talented musicians letting fly on their instruments, Unorthodox Behaviour is worth a listen. It is further evidence that Phil Collins was not just some douchey adult contemporary singer; in his day, he was one of the best drummers on the planet. He's also surrounded here by similarly talented musos.
Otherwise, it's an album where you can probably just listen to the standout tracks and skip the rest.
My rating: ***
Standout Tracks
Nuclear Burn
Born Ugly
Euthanasia Waltz
The next album review is a classic Australian punk album......
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