The Cosmic Lunchbox was a short-lived trio that I formed several years ago as a way to spend more time playing my beloved 1976 Rhodes Mark I electric piano.
I met drummer Jovan "J1" Coleman through a Craigslist ad. Finding bandmates through this channel is usually an iffy proposition at best, but this time, I hit the jackpot. Just as I was starting to think about forming a group, he put up a post looking for a Rhodes player to jam with - that seemed a little too perfect to pass up.
Right around the same time, I was getting to know Brendan, who worked in the same office with me. After of number of conversations over the espresso machine in the kitchen, we discovered we had a lot in common musically, and he agreed to give it a shot. The pieces fell into place much quicker than I would have imagined.
We played together a few times, then recorded this demo with the intent of trying to line up some gigs. But, shortly after this session, J1 got a too-good-to-pass-up professional opportunity that required him to move to Los Angeles. Brendan and I starting jamming with other drummers, but my attention then got very happily diverted toward the birth of my daughter, so the group dissolved.
Listening back to these recordings, I'm struck by the chemistry and shared sense of groove that we all had, which now surprises me given that we barely knew each other when this recording was made. It makes me wonder what we would have gotten to if we had played together longer.
A special note: while getting the materials for this album together, I decided to look up J1, since I had lost track of him after he moved to Los Angeles. I was sad to learn that he passed away last November in an accident in Sweden. He was a remarkable musician and a terrific guy, and really shouldn't have been taken away so soon. This album is most respectfully dedicated to his memory. J, I know you're sorely missed, but I also know that heaven is a whole lot funkier now that you're there.
credits
released June 18, 2012
Personnel:
Darin Wilson, Rhodes piano
Brendan Neutra, electric bass
Jovan "J1" Coleman, drums
Cover art by Paul Ivey
Recorded and mixed at Ex'pression College For Digital Arts, Emeryville, CA on September 17, 2006
www.expression.edu
I wish I had written down the names of the student engineers who worked on this - they were all outstanding.
"Well You Needn't" composed by Thelonious Monk
"Jean-Pierre" and "It's About That Time" composed by Miles Davis
"Still Time" composed by Darin Wilson
"Sunday Service" composed by Cosmic Lunchbox
license
Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.
This album features some terrific writing and bass playing by Steve Uccello. I love how he is able to fuse jazz and ambient elements into something unique, and quite beautiful. Darin Wilson
I admire Sunna's playing on many levels, and her compositions are extraordinary. I also love the chemistry of the trio on this album, and was particularly knocked out by Scott McLemore's drumming Darin Wilson
Any of Neil's albums are worth checking out, but this one is a particular favorite. His keyboard skills are mind-boggling, and the genre bending that happens here is inspirational. Darin Wilson
Another set of impossibly slick jams from an Aussie outfit who bathe disco-inspired rhythms in funky synths and psychedelic textures. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 3, 2024