Brand X
Brand X was one of the most commercially successful of the British jazz rock groups of the late '70s and early '80s. Their MOROCCAN ROLL reached number 37 in the UK album chart in May 1977 while IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT crept in at number 93 in September 1982. The original line-up of the band was John Goodsall (guitar), Robin Lumley (keyboards), Percy Jones (bass)(ex- Liverpool Scene), Phil Collins (drums) and Maurice Pert (percussion). This was the band that Collins thought second only to Weather Report. There were similarities, especially in that each group of musicians had great technical ability and a desire to play popular music; but Brand X's individuality came through in their compositions. They produced sharp arrangements of appealing melodies, often with a gangling counterpoint provided by Jones's slurred fretless bass lines. Collins and Pert could contribute anything from the lightest colouring to a furiously propulsive rhythm and both Goodsall and Lumley were exciting soloists. All the musicians were also busy with studio work and Collins had been expanding his role with Genesis after Peter Gabriel's departure. He had also released a solo album and, as his second career as a solo artist took off, he decided to leave Brand X. He was replaced by Chuck Burgi, and then by Mike Clarke. A little later Percy Jones left and was replaced by John Gilbin.