AllMusic Review by Dave Connolly [-]

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.

On the "Old Gray Whistle Test":

This version is a bit better quality and an extra interview with Phil.

I think Brand X is some of Phil's best work. But I love the fusion stuff.

[Edited on 1/21/2020 by CanadianMule]

Brand X is good. I hadn't noticed them before. Just Genesis and I saw them and Phil Collins solo when Easy Lover was out. It seemed Phil Collins solo was selling more records than Genesis. I remember meeting a girl who loved Phil Collins bit didnt know he was the drummer for Genesis.

Ever heard of the actor X Bannds? I use to see that name on the credits of some of the TV shows when I was a kid and teen.X Brands. I think he was a regular on Yancey Derringer and played

I love Brand X, That fusion sound. Got to see them at the Bottom Line in the early 90's
Sun in the night......

....this one was recorded before Genesis really blew up....

Genesis was already a major act by the time Collins formed Brand X as a side project.

Peter Gabriel had departed and the first Brand X album was released the same year as A Trick Of the Tail.

Yeah, I'll qualify that, Shavian. In 1976, Genesis was popular enough to play at our beloved Beacon Theater, which sits around 3,000 people. An act has definitely made the big leagues if they play there.

However, they didn't have any major radio hits at that point and were not a very well-known entity when we compare them to how ubiquitous they were in the 1980s and 1990s, when they hit the point that they were playing at 70,000-seat football stadiums.

Phil Collins was a household name in 1986, but not in 1976.

Brand X is good. I hadn't noticed them before. Just Genesis and I saw them and Phil Collins solo when Easy Lover was out. It seemed Phil Collins solo was selling more records than Genesis. I remember meeting a girl who loved Phil Collins bit didnt know he was the drummer for Genesis.

You walked in about 2/3 of the way through Genesis/Phil's careers. Musically Genesis is a much different beast when Phil was strictly the drummer. Brand X was Collins stepping away for some fusion fun which was obviously the big thing at that time.

But his work in early Genesis had long put him on the drum map by the time Brand X came along.

And they're saying they may do the West in October.

MARCH 2020 U.S.A. SHOWS:
3/19: PAWLING, NY / Daryl's House Club*
3/20: ALBANY, NY / Skyloft*
3/21: ROSLYN, NY / My Father's Place at The Roslyn Hotel *
3/24: NYC, NY / The Iridium *
3/25: BOCA RATON, FL / The Funky Biscuit
3/26: MIAMI, FL / Cruise to the Edge (Pre-Cruise Party)
3/27: CHICAGO, IL / Reggie's**
3/28: MILWAUKEE, WI / Shank Hall
3/29: INDIANAPOLIS, IN / Irving Theater **
3/31: PONTIAC, MI / Flagstar Strand Theatre** (tentative)
4/01: CLEVELAND / The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern
4/02: PITTSBURGH, PA / Club Cafe
4/03: CINCINNATI, OH / The Ludlow Garage**
Opening Act:
* = Randy McStine
** = District 97