PRODUCT

Am I wrong comparing Brand X with bands like Bruford (non earthwork), Return To Forever, Colosseum II, Weather Report or Jaco Pasorious solo or Allan Holdworth solo or Al Di Meola solo or Jean Luc Ponty? Probably. It's because they share similar vein: jazz rock fusion. Of course there many other bands in similar vein. I'm fully aware knowing their differences in styles and subtleties of sound produce with each of them individually has a very unique characteristic. But for me personally Brand X is a band that must have peculiar things we need to focus on whenever enjoying their album, including "Product". First off, I'd rather enjoy Phil Collins contribute singing (in addition to drumming) in Brand X like he does in "Don' Make Waves" (5:08) than his solo career or doing "More Fool Me" with Genesis. I can smell the uniqueness of his voice through this opening track that for me has helped a lot in putting strong character of Brand X music. Yes, you may say that the melody is a bit weird - but look at how Phil utilizes his talent to deliver his singing in this not really melodic track. Excellent.

"Product" is definitely not the band's best album but it gives us a sort of alternatives for what had already been there in music market at that time. On jazz / fusion sheme we knew excellent bass players like Stanley Clarke or Marcus Miller or Jaco Pastorius, but look at how Percy Jones and John Giblin play in this record. Awesome! Yeah, these two gentlemen know how to satisfy the listeners with their styles. And you can differentiate how these two gentlemen play differently. John Goodsall's guitar playing gives a good combination with keyboard work - mostly played by Robin Lumley and two tracks by Peter Robinson.

It's not the best album by Brand X but it's really worth collecting if you really enjoy jazz rock fusion. Keep on proggin' ..!