Brainbox

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Before Focus, there was a band called Brainbos led by guitarist Jan Akkerman & drummer Pierre van der Linden (both later members of Focus), and vocalist Kaz Lux, who also colaborated in a few later albums of Jan. About half of the album (their only one, s/t) are covers. The CD is quite eclectic, going bluessy, folky and hard-rocker... I was wondering if Brainbox would fit in some label here. 

Among the aforementioned covers contained on the album, are Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair", both nicely featured. There's also an over 15-minute track which contains a lenghty drum solo by the underrated Van der Linden.

Opinions?

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sircosick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 29 2007 Location: Chile Status: Offline Points: 1264	Topic: Brainbox Posted: November 18 2007 at 20:02
	Before Focus, there was a band called Brainbos led by guitarist Jan Akkerman & drummer Pierre van der Linden (both later members of Focus), and vocalist Kaz Lux, who also colaborated in a few later albums of Jan. About half of the album (their only one, s/t) are covers. The CD is quite eclectic, going bluessy, folky and hard-rocker... I was wondering if Brainbox would fit in some label here. Among the aforementioned covers contained on the album, are Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair", both nicely featured. There's also an over 15-minute track which contains a lenghty drum solo by the underrated Van der Linden. Opinions?
	The best you can is good enough...

clarke2001 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 14 2006 Location: Croatia Status: Offline Points: 4160	Posted: November 18 2007 at 20:17
	A bluesy band with prog tendencies and flute. Prog-related. I mean, they REALLY DESERVE prog-related tag.
	Percussion, sir!

Atavachron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 64351	Posted: November 18 2007 at 20:22
	I like your Klimpt

Agemo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 05 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 264	Posted: November 19 2007 at 12:54
	Brainbox is an excellent prog-related band, who made folky, bluesy, progressive rock. They should be added !!
	Dona Nobis Pacem

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 19 2007 at 18:24
	Definitely`gets my vote.

cynthiasmallet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 545	Posted: November 19 2007 at 18:26
	I quite like Brainbox, but prefer Akkerman's previous band The Hunters and Van Der Linden's later band Trace. You should check out Kaz Lux's solo work, quite interesting. Not really my cup of tea though.
	Would you like to watch TV, or get between the sheets, or contemplate the silent freeway, would you like something to eat?

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 20 2007 at 14:21
	Can`t really compare Brainbox to Trace. C`mon apples & oranges.

cynthiasmallet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 545	Posted: November 20 2007 at 14:24
	Oh i forget to mention, they should definitely be added.
	Would you like to watch TV, or get between the sheets, or contemplate the silent freeway, would you like something to eat?

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 26 2007 at 16:37
	I think we have enough enthusiasm for Brainbox to be added. I volounteer to help with the bio and album additions. Seven I think including compilations and live albums with the most recent being a 2004 Live recording. Edited by Vibrationbaby - November 26 2007 at 16:41

glass house Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 16 2005 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 4986	Posted: November 26 2007 at 16:41
	Brainbox are a great band, but not even prog related I think.

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 26 2007 at 19:14
	Progressive blues for sure. Listen to "Sea Of Delights" off the first album. It was sort of a research and development for Akkerman before joining Focus.I also think that a lot of new listeners would want to delve further into the Focus` family tree. Two other Focus members played with Brainbox don`t forget Pierre van Der Linden and Cyril Havermans. I still vote a definite yes.

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 27 2007 at 17:00
	Here`s the Brainbox LPs I have : Brainbox ( 1969 ) Only album with Akkerman Parts ( 1972 ) Whole band changes with the exception of Kaz Lux. The Very Best Brainbox Album Ever ( CD Compilation 2002 ) I don`t have the 2004 reunion concert album. Akkerman ain`t on it but Van der Linden is. Anyone ever heard this one ?

Agemo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 05 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 264	Posted: November 30 2007 at 11:44
	A correction to the list by Vibrationbaby: the album Parts (1972) has indeed a completely different line-up, Kaz Lux is not appearing on it. For further information I recommend my website: http://users.keyaccess.nl/~wemmg01/bbox.htm
	Dona Nobis Pacem

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 30 2007 at 11:59
	I forgot Michel van Dijk from Ekseption replaced him . But Lux continued on after Akkerman left for a bit though before going solo. I think he recorded one last single. I can`t remember. I`ll check the album. Have it somewhere. Edited by Vibrationbaby - November 30 2007 at 12:01

Agemo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 05 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 264	Posted: November 30 2007 at 12:13
	That's right, he recorded a few singles in1970 (also released on the album To You in 1972). Kaz Lux recorded several solo albums, especially his debut C.S. (1972) is a good one. Have you heard any of them?
	Dona Nobis Pacem

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: November 30 2007 at 13:51
	OK, I think I got it. The second lineup : Kaz Lux / John Schuursma / Rudi de Queljoe / Frans Smit / Andre Reyen, recorded sevral singles - Mobilea / Virgin The Smile / The Flight So Helpless / To you Doomsday Train / Good Morning Day Between Alpha & Omega / Cruel Train Except for Mobilea, Virgin and The Flight they all appeared on the `71 album " The Best Of Brainbox " along with 5 tracks from the 3 Akkerman singles. I think they only released only two singles from the `72 album, Parts with the completely different band : Part of Me Is Part Of You / When I was Poor and Dilema / If You Could Only Feel It. If You Could Only Feel It doesn`t appear on the Parts album. Please correct me I`m wrong here since I only have the albums. The only other albums of Kaz Lux I have are the ones with Akkerman, Eli, Transparental and From The Basement. I`ve heard some of his stuff from the seventies a long time ago though through a friend. I think I taped a few tracks but it`s vague Edited by Vibrationbaby - November 30 2007 at 13:59

ANDREW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 21 2005 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 3064	Posted: November 30 2007 at 16:03
	I'd put them in Proto-Prog

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: December 13 2007 at 16:26
	Well, Brainbox is now in the archives. Does anyone know whether Herman Meyer appeared on any other Brainbox recordings besides "To You" ,"So Helpless" , " Doomsday Train " and " Good Morning Day " They were the first and second sides of their first and second singles without Akkerman. I can`t find any other tracks where he recieves a writing credit. Edited by Vibrationbaby - December 13 2007 at 16:35

Agemo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 05 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 264	Posted: December 14 2007 at 11:27
	If I'm not mistaken, he also appears on the tracks "Cruel train" and "Between alpha and omega".
	Dona Nobis Pacem

Vibrationbaby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898	Posted: December 14 2007 at 18:47
	Thanks. I`ll try and check it out. It`s just weird with the lineup changes and not being properly credited on the LPs. I only have one brainbox single and Akkerman`s on it, Sea Of Delight.