And now for something completely different. This time out, our friend Jethro has pitted a 1979 progressive jazz rock fusion band (featuring Phil Collins, of all people) against a Greek progressive jazz rock fusion album from 1973.
Here are the deets. (Is that how you use that word?)
Brand X - Product
Brand X may be familiar to you along with member Phil Collins, you may have heard of him from his very Prog laden band Genesis, but it seems as though this album is not as familiar as others in the Brand X cannon. This is the first Brand X album that I have heard, so all others are compared to them. When researching the band I found that this is thought of as a more main stream outing for the band. It may be becasue of the vocal tracks and shorter songs. I never thought about it that way. The vocal songs are kinda of breaks for the very proggy stuf in between. Side 2 or the second half of the album is just very special. Please give this many listens as it is a grower. Enjoyyour truly Wham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ua97cKVWeI&list=PLw-aBPPes4XUHFwNDwoQkCsxR7KF8wx5Y
vs.
Axis - Axis
Axis formed in 1970 and served as a backing band for Demis Roussos (Aphrodite's Child). Four years after the seize of power by the junta regime they had to move to France, where they recorded their three albums. Their eponymous album finds them with a different line-up. They play experimental and dark prog incorporating elements of avant-jazz, symphonic prog, and Canterbury. You'll notice how harsh and rhythm-oriented some segments are. The album, released only in Canada and France, is the absolute unit of obscure progressive rock, and one of the most inspiring releases of the Greek scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp4LQr8cAaE
All of this talk of jazz fusion makes me a little nervous, but let's see how it shakes out, shall we?
