Brand X/London,UK 1976 & more

BRAND X from the Phil Collins era made a shocking debut with “UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR.” Introducing a two-disc live album where you can fully enjoy the intense live performance. This work includes three live performances from 1976. This is a live set with the finest stereo soundboard of “February 26th + July 15th: BBC Session” on Disc 1, and the valuable audience recording of “August 29th: Reading Festival Performance” on Disc 2. . Formed in 1975, BRAND The following year, in 1976, they also performed sporadically with the release of their album “UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR”. Phil at that time had already become the cornerstone of GENESIS, and BRAND X’s activities were only in between. First of all, let’s look back at the schedule at that time and imagine the outline of their activities and the content of this work. 《February: GENESIS “A TRICK OF THE TAIL” released》・February 20th: London performance ・February 26th: BBC session　←★DISC 1★《“UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR” released on June 18th》・July 15th Sun: BBC Session　←★DISC 1★・July 30th: London Performance・August 2nd: John Peel Session・August 29th: Reading Festival Performance　←★DISC 2★・September 2nd: London Performance　← *Official ・November 12th-20th: UK (3 performances) [December 17th: GENESIS “WIND & WUTHERING” released] This is BRAND X in 1976. GENESIS only recorded the release date of the album, but they also conducted a large-scale world tour in the meantime. BRAND X’s stage performance was limited to about 10 times. Officially, the excavation live album “LIVE FROM RONNIE SCOTTS” remains, but this work is of course different. It is a definitive two-disc set where you can enjoy the symbolic performance of the two “BBC sessions” and the only big stage “Reading Festival” in its entirety. Now, let’s introduce each disc individually. [DISC 1: BBC Session (February 26th + July 15th)] The first thing that will appear is two “BBC Sessions”. You can enjoy live performances of 5 songs, including 3 songs performed in February and 2 songs performed in July. The quality is truly superb. Even if it is a BBC session, in the case of underground, there may be broadcast noise or a distorted sound that deteriorates over time, but this work does not have that worry. With complete master quality, the minute details and sounds are seamlessly glossy, and the stereo feeling of furious panning is also amazing. There is not even the scratch noise of the broadcast master, and it is an official-class sound that can even surpass the official version “LIVE FROM RONNIE SCOTTS”. And the performance depicted with that sound is intense. The group consists of the four core members of UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR, plus Preston Heyman, who is known for his work with Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, and Tina Turner. At that time, it was around the release of “UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR”, but the album only contained songs like “Born Ugly”, and the next album had a variety of songs such as “Why Should I Lend You Mine”, “Malaga Virgen”, “Kugelblitz” and “The Ancient Mysteries”. He will show off a wide range of repertoire. [DISC 2: Reading Festival (August 29th)] The completely official disc 1 is great, but disc 2 is even more must-listen. This is an audience recording of the big stage “Reading Festival” where BRAND X’s live performance was shown to British rock fans. This disc is truly a historical record. It is an original master that was once discovered, but it was actually recorded by a Japanese record company staff. Of course, this is not a trading purpose, but a recording by a person involved to check out the artist/band. I don’t know exactly, but this staff member traveled to England several times in the 1970s and repeatedly recorded at the Reading Festival. Even in 1976, many masterpiece live albums were born, including Rory Gallagher, GONG, COLOSSEUM II, Pat Travers, CAMEL, etc. Each time, it has shocked enthusiasts around the world. This disc is the BRAND X of such a treasured collection. Of course, it is not comparable to the official sound board on Disc 1, but there is no noise around you because it is recorded from the seats of the people involved, and you can use it without having to hide high-end equipment. It is a clear sound that brings out the flavor and directly delivers the solid performance. BRAND X that you can experience on site with that sound is amazing. As mentioned above, “Reading” is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these guys who have never done a full-fledged tour. I thought the spirit would explode…but suddenly it started with a relaxed jam. However, the phrases intertwined within this mood are extremely sharp and the rhythms are diverse. The tension gradually builds, and it slumps into “Running on three.” Unfortunately, the tape stops once in the intro of this song, and resumes from the middle of “Kugelblitz”. It’s such a shame that we won’t be able to hear the delicious parts… Just as soon as I felt disappointed, I was surprised by the high excitement of “Kugelblitz” when it resumed. After that, the detailed performance will fly away with the addition of Phil MC, which is unique to a live stage. The last one, “Nuclear Burn,” is especially delicious. Not only is it a number that cannot be heard on Disc 1 or “LIVE FROM RONNIE SCOTTS”, but the great performance featuring Phil’s drum solo is intense itself. His nervously detailed rhythm work shows off his amazing skills, one of the best in the progressive rock world. With the release of “A TRICK OF THE TAIL,” Phil Collins awakened as a frontman and rose to become a world pop star. This is a transcendent jazz-rock album that you can’t feel at all. This is a live set that shows how outstanding a drummer he was with a live performance that is better than “UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR”. BRAND Its true value. Maida Vale Studios, London, UK 26th February & 15th July 1976 STEREO SBD Reading Festival, Richfield Avenue, Reading, UK 29th August 1976 TRULY AMAZING SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1(43:57) BBC SESSIONS Live at Maida Vale Studios, London, UK 26th February 1976 1. Kubil Blitz 2. Born Ugly 3. The Ancient Mysteries Live at Maida Vale Studios, London, UK 15th July 1976 4. Why Should I Lend You Mine 5. Malaga Virgin John Goodsall – Guitar Percy Jones – Bass Robin Lumley – Keyboards Phil Collins – Drums Preston Heyman – Percussions STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Disc 2(38:12) READING FESTIVAL Richfield Avenue, Reading, UK 29th August 1976 1.Warming Up Jam 2.Running on three 3.Kugelblitz 4.Phil Collins MC 5.Why should I lend You Mine 6.Phil Collins MC 7.Malaga Virgen 8.Nuclear Burn John Goodsall – Guitar Percy Jones – Bass Robin Lumley – Keyboards Phil Collins – Drums Morris Pert – Percussions