� � Brand X - John Goodsall - Percy Jones - Phil Collins - Jazz Fusion - "EER-MUSIC.com!"
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Brand X: Timeline (2 CD, 62:37 & 55:21);
Buckyball Records, BR006, 1999
E-mail: N/A
Cyberhome: http://www.buckyball.com
10 words or less: Double live CD of 1977 & 1993 shows
Elaboration: Of all the English Fusion bands, Brand X
is probably the most recognized name. Timeline
includes 2 previously unreleased shows. Disc 1 was
recorded in Chicago, 1977 and features the same lineup
as their previously released live album,
Livestock. If you have Livestock then
you know what to expect, namely some smokin� playing
by all involved, especially Drummer Kenwood Dennard!
There are also songs included here that aren�t on
Livestock; "Disco Suicide", "Why Should I Lend You
Mine...", "Access To Data", "Nuclear Burn" and "Deadly
Nightshade". There is a bit of tape wow and hiss to
contend with but overall the sound quality is good and
the playing is super tight.
Disc 2 was recorded in New York City, 1993 and
features Goodsall, Jones and Frank Katz as a power
trio unit. Being a Keyboard lover, I�m not too fond of
power trios but Goodsall does a pretty good job
filling in with plenty of Synth-Guitar washes to break
up the electric Guitar overdose usually associated
with power trios. Plus, Percy�s Bass playing is always
engaging and provides a nice foil to Goodsall�s
amazing Guitar histrionics. Listening to this show, I
was quite impressed by the maturity of the performance
style. There are many subtle passages interspersed
with the intense jamming. I highly recommend this
double live album to any fans of great Fusion and look
forward to the X men�s next product. ~ L Perez
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Brand X:: {missing period}; (CD, 50:40)
Outer Music, OM-1004 1997
I urge all musicians and bands to dig through the attic, the garage, the
basement, and forgotten storage areas of friends and family for lost tapes!
You just might dig up a real treasure like what happened to Brand X with
this release. Family members gave guitarist/ founder, John Goodsall a box
of Brand X memorabilia, aka olde band junk and ancient reels of tape were
discovered aneath it all. Oh boy! They were the earliest known recordings
of the band, circa 1975-76, predating their debut album release.
So how�s it sound? Excellent is the word for both quality and content.
This is super-fun fusion in that classic Brand X, off-beat, funked up, jazz
rock groove. Extended soloing, tight unison lines, virtuoso musicianship
fill every nook and cranny of each tune. If you are a Brand X or fusion
rock fan, this is a must-have. Many of these tunes were never released for
twenty years and now we are just too lucky. Some tracks are early versions
of songs later released but I dig these ancient versions just as much if not
moreso. Hear Goodsall melt his axe with riffs galore, Jones slay the bass,
Collins decimate the drums, Lumley go hay-wire on keys, and Heyman
tickle the percussion. Get into 70s fusion all over again with this rare treat!
Highly recommended! ~ John W. Patterson, EER-MUSIC.com
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Brand X: Manifest Destiny (CD, 62:08); Purple Pyramid CLP 9940-2, 1997
Pangea Music International
Ph: (831) 425-0270
Fax: (831) 425-3874
E-mail: info@pangeamusic.com
Cyberhome: www.pangeamusic.com
Oh baby, this is why I love band reunions or should I say band revivals. For this is
one on-fire, cranked-up, slammin� and funkified fusion fest. John Goodsall, Percy Jones,
and the gang whirl you around by your heels until your brain pops. Being a dormant
entity for most of the �80s, Brand X is obviously very much back with this second post-reunited
offering. With drummer Frank Katz and vibesman Mark Wagnon from Jones� Tunnels band --
Brand X is manifesting a destiny of attack and decimate. Jones� signature jazzy-phat,
swelling, be-boppin�, hip-hopped, and burpin� funk-rock bass is framed with that serrated-edged
and pyrotechnic splendor in Goodsall�s mean fusion guitar.
Those of us fully aware of the fascinating diversity and skillful jazz rock of early Brand X will
also remember how complexly whacked and offbeat they could stretch -- they defied old genre-
specific boundaries and set new ones. The same flagrant disregard is thankfully in full swing here.
My mind goes back to Do They Hurt? crossed with Livestock. For that in-your-
face bombastic and killer guitar-driven fusion check out �True to the Clik�, �Virus�, �Manifest
Destiny�, and �Operation Hearts and Minds�. For that world and ethnic syncopated funk fusion
that Brand X has always handled with ease do �XXL�, �The Worst Man�, and �Drum Ddu�. Last
track, �Mr. Bubble Goes to Hollywood� is a drum solo then drums-n-bass duet. Probably one of
the most memorable cuts is Jones� �Stellerator�, named after one H. F.Mudd�s robo-wife device
from an early Star Trek episode. This song held all Brand X was famous for in its olden days. It
recalled the grace of Bruford and the retained the quirky-edged abandon of Brand X. Great stuff!
Goodsall dabbles in Frippian territory ever so briefly. A bonus is two live cuts �hidden� -- Oops I
told ya -- as unlisted tracks 11 and 12. Strongly recommended. ~ John W. Patterson

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