Chillbone

Since 1996 Chillbone has been a band composed of various rhythm and horn sections behind Jay Galarneau (lead guitar), Kimball Trump (vocals, keyboards) and Tim Heffernan (vocals, guitar). After some regional success with their fist album, Chillbone, they began the creation of second album which was to be an important collaboration of some the most sought-after players in contemporary American Funk and Rock music.

The First Album

Seth Rogovoy in "The Beat" section of the The Berkshire Eagle (Williamstown, Massachusetts, March 21, 1999) said of the first album: "Chillbone has released an eponymously-titled CD of its original, funky groove-rock. Songs like "Part of It" and the title track, while variously recalling the Grateful Dead and Phish, boast tight, springy arrangements and soulful, jazzy keyboards courtesy of Kimball Trump, and "Mystic Bootie" is an infectious bit of funk-rock that ends too soon. The group has a fresh, playful, almost childlike quality; some of the innocent-guy vocals sound like early Talking Heads. The group also displays a social consciousness and global perspective in songs like "All Around the World," whose lyrics of political unity are underlined by the Santana-like, world-beat rhythms underpinning the arrangement."

Trials and Tribulation

Although the group was enjoying regional success, internal strife broke up the fledgling group in what ultimately turned out to be an enabling turn of events. Original bass man John Sutters and original drummer Greg Costello left the band as a result of the inter-personal conflicts. The group continued its show schedule using a multitude of substitutes and stand-ins behind Jay, Kimball and Tim. Their sound continued to grow until they were invited by a fan to "see what the Bone could do in the studio."

Try and Act Normal

They group did some pre-production at Applehead Studio (then in Woodstock, New York) before moving into the infamous Chelsea Hotel and joining their friend and producer Will Schillinger at his NYC studio, Pilot Recording. Will and the band began to call in friends and favors and the team of all-star musicians was assembled. Showing up were multi-platinum and Grammy winner Will Lee on bass and Dennis Chambers of Funkadelic/Brides of Funkenstein, Steely Dan etc. on drums. Shelah Brody of George Clinton's P-funk joined in with her savage vocals. Rolling Stones horn section, the Uptown Horns Crispin Cioe and Bob Funk came with Kenny Fradley of Kid Creole and U2 for the horn section and solos. Soozie Tyrell and Sherryl Marshall were borrowed from Bruce Springstein Band for back up vocals. Other friends such as Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Holley (of Wings, Joe Cocker and Elton John), Joe Trump (of King Black Acid, Carbon, Umezu Kazutoki's Kiki Band, & Curtis Mayfield) and Jon Herington of Steely Dan dropped in for guest appearances. .

The complete list of players is: Dennis Chambers : Drums Will Lee : Bass Sheila Brody a.k.a. Amuka : Vocals Kenny Fradley : Trumpet Crispin Cioe : Sax Bob Funk, Trombone Marshall Crenshaw : Guitar Solo Soozie Tyrell : Vocals Sherryl Marshall :Vocals Lisa Lowell : Vocals Jon Herington : Guitar Steve Holley : Percussion Joe Trump : Percussion Amy Fairchild : Vocals Sibel Firat : Cello Adam Widoff : Sitar Tim Heffernan : Vocals, guitar Jay Galarneau : Lead guitar Kimball Trump : Keyboards Aaron Johnson : Drums.

The album was recorded and mixed at Pilot Recording and mastered at the former home of the Beatles; EMI-Abbey Road / Studio Two.

Languish and Success

The album spent several years "in the can" until it finally has been released via internet distribution. International sales from the US to Russia to Norway have quickly made this all-star record a growing underground hit.