UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOUR BY BRAND X

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Unorthodox Behaviour by Brand X

Don't let the album name fool you! The behavior (or behaviour) herein, is hardly unorthodox.  Rather this recording, which features Genesis's Phil Collins on drums and guitarist John Goodsall of Atomic Rooster is pretty much straight up jazz-fusion, with hardly any surprises, risk-taking or very much imagination.  Still, even thoughUnorthodox Behaviour lacks the magnificence of landmark albums by Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, King Crimson and Emerson Lake and Palmer, the album's eight long compositions have enough musicianship, variety—and yeah, some occassional idiosyncracies, too—to make this album a worthwhile listen for anyone interested in prog-rock of jazz-fusion.  That and the aggressive playing by Collins, Goodsall and company is truly dazzling.  Released in 1976,Unorthodox Behaviour contains nothing essential but, in 41 minutes, there are no false-steps or dull moments. 

Unorthodox Behaviour by Brand X

SINGLES GOING STEADY: "DON'T FALTER" BY MINT ROYALE WITH LAUREN LAVERNE

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"Don't Falter" by Mint Royale with Lauren Laverne

It only takes ten seconds of listening to this 2000 collaboration between Manchester England's Mint Royale and Radio DJ/Singer Lauren Laverne to know that you're listening to something very good—if not irresistable.  With its dreamy, almost theremin-like orchestral string riff, lo-fi drums and break-dancing electric guitar straight out of Stereolab record, "Don't Falter" has quite an intriguing opening.  It's like an audio version of rhythmic gymnastics.  The first ten seconds beg for a strong continuation—a great vocal and a catchy, sing-song chorus.  Thankfully, vocalist Lauren Laverne does not disappoint.  Her voice fits somewhere in the company of Nina Persson of The Cardigans and Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer.  She's not a virtuoso, but her playful bounciness is sweet, inviting and sexy.  Together Laverne and Mint Royale pull of a simply wonderful, magnificent, summer solstice of a song.  In a little over four minutes, the ensemble never falters.  Though it never made a dent in the US, "Don't Falter" became a Top 20 hit in the UK.  

"Don't Falter" by Mint Royale with Lauren Laverne