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MUSIC CATALOGUE: Brand X
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Reviews for "Timeline": The last and reformed editions of Brand X, all sans Phil Collins, are heard on this double CD set of live performances in Chicago and New York City, respectively. Founding members John Goodsall (electric guitar) and Percy Jones (electric bass guitar) lead the band through classic fusion territory familiar to fans of the band; most of their best material is heard at sometime or another on this two hour excursion. For the Chi-town dates, drummer Kenwood Dennard, percussionist Morris Pert, and keyboardist Robin Lumley comprise perhaps the best overall talent of the many incarnations of Brand X. Galloping guitar and klip-klop percussion inform "Disco Suicide" with a frequently repeated second melody. "Nightmare Patrol" is the ultimate heavy instrumental music with maddening ostinato guitar; "Why Should I Lend You Mine?" is a 6/8 groove, instrumental three-minute shortie; and a synth laden "Access to Data" uses multi-melodies, a 10/8 figure, and furious guitar coda. Stepping up to 11/8 then 7/4 during "Nuclear Burn," Goodsall uses one of many direct references to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, a repeated line sparking Lumley's screaming synth. The final three tracks are muddy, not as audible or well recorded. A 6/8 head, bridge, and tail for "Euthanasia Waltz" sounds flat, "Malaga Virgin" is a ten-minute Jones-led 4/4 jam, and "Deadly Nightshade" uses a pretty bell-like sweetness to a leaden or quick funk and chiming, repeated synth lines for guitar, truly a great tune. For the second CD in N.Y.C., it's just Jones and Goodsall with drummer Frank Katz, and this stripped-down edition is naturally not as potent, but good nonetheless. A hard rock, four-chord "Introduction" goes into another galloping ostinato bass line, a signature of Jones, with slight reggae feel and Arabic-tinged guitar on the black rock piece "A Duck Exploding." The free symphonic electric guitar/synth three-minute egg "Guitar Concerto" is followed by the 6/4 stair step Mahavishnu-type funk of "Thalidomide Squid," while "Strangeness" is simply a workout for Jones and Katz. A reprise of "Nuclear Burn" is tacked onto "Cambodia" where Goodsall's Mahavishnu influence à la "Dance of Maya" is at its darkest, most evident, and clearly stated zenith. Katz does a rock slow and fleet, wild "Drum Solo," and "Church of Hype" is a straight 4/4 rock number. The final two selections are in the Mahavishnu bag too; "Healing Dream" is an acoustic guitar solo with John McLaughlin's signature repetition, while "Macrocosm" uses similar changes only in 7/8 with Goodsall's stinging and poignant electric six string. Brand X has always been an expert at using the improvisation of jazz melted over the base loudness of rock or R&B rhythms. They were hardly the off brand, more like the real thing in the fusion-oriented '70s, and this disc proves the idea was still viable beyond its time. The Timeline title is not so much about the musical chronology, which only represents the latter history of the group, but the liner notes delineate the entire history of the band, from the Genesis/Phil Collins connection to the 1999 group Tunnels, which Jones has put two CDs out with. Good stuff to know. Michael G. Nastos All Music Guide Timeline is a 2-CD set of two separate live performances with two different versions of Brand X. Both showcase their talent as progressive art rockers playing music exceptionally complex with odd meters and drastic style changes. The first concert is Chicago 1977 and features a 5 piece group including John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass), Kenwood Dennard (drums), Robin Lumley (keys) and Morris Pert (percussion). "Access To Data" is a scientific sounding piece in varying meters that takes the listener on a journey through many contrasting landscapes of sound and texture. At times the sound is familiar, borrowing from any given style just long enough to get you back in the boat before they shake it up and throw you overboard again. "Malaga Virgin" is almost funk, but at lightning speed. The changes are quick and heard turning with a distorted edge and insane lines up and down the The second CD is New York 1993 and features John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass) and Frank Katz (drums) (although I do hear keyboards on this CD as well). Percy seems to be more in the front on this recording with his fretless work. Overall Timeline features Brand X as a strong group playing experimental rock music. Jay Piccirillo Bass Frontiers |