(Baby Lemonade - named after a Syd Barret song, but an original nonetheless)
Something local tonight - Baby Lemonade are an L.A. based band who got together in 1992 and debuted with an ep in 1993. Almost immediately they gathered a strong critical and audience reaction. It also got the attention of Arthur Lee, who asked them to be his backup band, or the new Love. And they did, working with Arthur, recording and touring until fate took a turn and Arthur wound up getting sentenced to prison on an alleged firearms charge in 1996.
It was during this time that Baby Lemonade were forced to strike back out on their own and the critically acclaimed 68% Pure Imagination was released from which tonight's track, Luminosity comes from.
When Lee was released from prison in 2001, they picked up where they left off and Baby Lemonade/Love with Arthur Lee proceeded to do sell-out world tours, putting Lee back on top of his game and bringing a whole new audience in touch with his timeless music.
But it wasn't to last, as Arthur was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in 2002 and passed away in 2006.
As Baby Lemonade they've released several albums, including a compilation package on Rhino in 2008. Always well received and consistently good. As Love, they made several filmed performances in the UK for the BBC, including a performance at Glastonbury.
Not much has been heard from them lately, but it's doubtful they will stay down long. And frankly, I don't know of any band who established a great reputation as two bands simultaneously - so that says something about just how good Baby Lemonade is.
