Brand X -

Brand X was an English jazz-rock band that released five studio albums and a live disc on Charisma and Passport between 1976 and 1980.

Members: Percy Jones (bass, 1975-98), John Goodsall (guitar, sitar), Robin Lumley (keyboards, 1975-82), Phil Collins (drums, vocals, 1975-82), Morris Pert (percussion, 1977-79), Peter Robinson (keyboards, 1978-82), Chuck Burgi (drums, 1978), Mike Clarke (drums, 1979-82), John Giblin (bass, 1979-82)

Brand X was assembled in late 1974 by bassist Percy Jones, guitarist John Goodsall, and keyboardist Robin Lumley. Jones hailed from folksters the Liverpool Scene, which issued four albums between 1968 and 1970. He also played on the 1970 debut album by singer/songwriter Al Jones. Goodsall (under the alias Johnny Mandala) was part of the 1973 lineup of Atomic Rooster, appearing on their fifth album Nice ‘n’ Greasy.

They rehearsed with a series of drummers, including Phil Collins, and prepared material for an album on Island Records. At this early stage, they featured a vocalist and intended to purvey funk-rock in the vein of the Average White Band. However, Island executives vetoed the results on account of the vocals. In 1975, the now-instrumental band recast itself in the mold of Blow by Blow and Isotope with a newly available Collins.

Brand X held numerous recording sessions during 1975. Titles from this period include “Dead Pretty” (a dry run for “Born Ugly”), “Ancient Mysteries,” “Tito’s Leg,” and the 11-minute “Kugelblitz.” (These and other tracks were later released on the archival disc Missing Period by Outer Music.) That September, the band commenced work on their debut album.

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