Brand X - "Masques" (1978) @320

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!

As Brand X continued into their recording existence, they seemed to become increasingly less a band and more of a revolving musicians' collective of sorts, something very uncommon to see nowadays. Made after their live album Livestock, fourth album Masques is somewhat interesting in a number of aspects. A few key members in the band sat out this recording, only to leap back on for the next one. Robin Lumley, the band's keyboardist up until then, served as the producer of this rather than a musician. Phil Collins was off touring with Genesis, and so he also isn't present, replaced here by Chuck Bergi. However, both Lumley and Collins would be back as musicians for next year's release Product. Masques is also somewhat unusual in terms of the writing, with percussionist Morris Pert contributing a majority of the pieces ("Black Moon," "Deadly Nightshade," and "Earth Dance"). This album marks Pert's apex in the band, as he would slide to the periphery with Product, and then be out completely.

"Masques" is a pleasant ambient piece, primarily a musical dialogue between Jones, Robinson, and Pert. "Black Moon" is calm with an easy-going, slightly lounge melody. On "Deadly Nightshade," Goodsall gets in a pretty furious solo that goes toe-to-toe with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu-era solos, and "Earth Dance" includes some feature spots for Pert and Bergi that are fun.

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

Tracklist:

1. The Poke — 5:10
2. Masques — 3:16
3. Black Moon — 4:48
4. Deadly Nightshade — 11:22
5. Earth Dance — 6:08
6. Access to Data — 8:01
7. The Ghost of Mayfield Lodge — 10:17

Personnel:

John Goodsall, guitar
Percy Jones, bass
Morris Pert, percussion
Peter Robinson, keyboards
Chuck Bergi, drums

*Includes full cover and booklet scan*

Related items:

Brand X - "Product" (1979)

Brand X - "Unorthodox Behaviour" (1976)

Brand X - "Morrocan Roll" (1977)

Brand X - "Livestock" (1977)

Brand X - "Missing Period" (1997)

Brand X - Xcommunication (1992)

Brand X - 'X-Files A 20 Year Retrospective' (1998)

Wilding Bonus - 'Pleasure Signals' (1978)

Percy Jones - "Propeller Music" (1989)

Brian Eno - Another Green World (1975)

Various Artists - "Schizoid Dimension" - A Tribute To King Crimson (1999)

Enjoy!
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