Brand X - 1976 [2014] "Unorthodox Behaviour" (Mini LP SHM-CD Universal)

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 released.

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. The melody is mainly supported by guitar and bass, most notably on the opening track. Collins' drum work is very fast and rhythmic and shows a difference in his style from his main band Genesis. Tracks like "Nuclear Burn" and "Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria" are often cited as a showcase for his drum work.

Phil Collins' seemingly endless well of energy afforded him two careers: one as the drummer/vocalist in Genesis, and a second as a prolific session musician. It was in this second scenario that Collins hooked up with Percy Jones, John Goodsall, and Robin Lumley during sessions for Brian Eno, Eddie Howell, and Jack Lancaster. The quartet soon formed Brand X, a fusion jazz band that matched the prodigious rhythms of Collins and fretless bassist Jones with the atmospheric melodies of Goodsall and Lumley. Unorthodox Behaviour sets the stage for what would follow: music that plies the same sonic territory as Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the like, punctuated by the distinctive styles of individual members. The songs, though credited to the band, reveal two factions at work, with Jones and Collins teaming for percussive sections and Goodsall and Lumley handling the lyrical passages. When Jones and Collins take the lead, as on the opening "Nuclear Burn" and sections of "Unorthodox Behaviour" and "Running on Three," the music takes a frenetic, mathematical tack. Goodsall and Lumley generally provide the mood, the dominant trait on "Euthanasia Waltz" and "Touch Wood." Middle ground is found on the funky "Born Ugly" and "Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria," true fusions of rock and jazz. Unorthodox Behaviour samples a variety of styles: from melodic to energetic, ethereal to mathematical. Without a standout soloist like John McLaughlin or Wayne Shorter, Brand X does run the risk of sounding like a generic fusion jazz outfit, but their compositional skills pick up the slack nicely. Those interested in the band may do well to start with this album, although their next three records are just as good in terms of quality. 

Track listing

1. Nuclear Burn (6:20)
2. Euthanasia Waltz (5:39)
3. Born Ugly (8:13)
4. Smacks of Euphoric Hysteria (4:26)
5. Unorthodox Behaviour (8:25)
6. Running on Three (4:37)
7. Touch Wood (3:03)

Total Time: 40:43

Personnel

• 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)

Additional personnel

• Jack Lancaster – soprano saxophone

Release information

Year	Type	Label	Catalog #	Country
1976	LP	Charisma	CAS 1117	UK
1976	LP	Passport Records	PB 9819	US
1976	LP	Charisma	6369 977	Netherlands
1989	CD	Virgin	CASCD 1117	UK
1998	CD	Caroline Blue Plate	CAROL 1387-2	US
2006	CD	Toshiba EMI Ltd	VJCP-68782	Japan