Hello. Lawrence Wise And The Cosmic Funk Orchestra/OSMOSIS is actually a One-Man Home Recording Project that has been my 'stress relief' (ha ha!), since about MAY, 1981. I'm from that first wave of DIY Cassette-Tapers ('analog'--and PROUD OF IT!). Hell, the majority of my material between '81 and '99 was done on the earliest large-model Casio Synthesizers (the MT-68, MT-400-V and MT-200), with a Yamaha thrown into the mix (on occasion).
Recently, I've started posting my material on the web (after transfering it from cassette-tape to digital disc, and then to MP3---a very hard process, considering the AGE of some of the tapes). It was in these past 2 1/2 years on the web that I discovered that, despite the ridicule you're going to get, there IS an Audience for your music--no matter how different it is.
I've been telling some of my friends and peers for years to NEVER get rid of ANY of their recordings, no matter how 'crappy' you were (of think you were), because having a 'Back Catalog' is a damn good thing. You MAY have been sitting on some GEMS, and not even know it.
And, when I discovered that a 21-year-old jam I posted on MySpace recently ROCKED a lot of folks as far away as SCOTLAND and AFRICA (!), I felt pumped. It means that this was a 'dream' that came thru in the end.
Most of all that info is in the ABOVE SECTIONS. Still, to reitterate:
The Cosmic Funk Orchestra/OSMOSIS is practically ALL ME. Of course, during a 17-month period between November 2005 and April 2008, under the OSMOSIS-Banner, I was a part of an amazing MySpace/Soundclick Cyber-Band, The DAILY DOSE OF FUNK (led by The FUNKASAURUS--Maurice Richmond).
Creatively, we've recently parted ways, but during the interim, the (at the time) 6 of us (The FUNKASAURUS, Myself-OSMOSIS, DragonFish KillSwitch, The BEATMASTER 1, GothaDelic and The Mofo ERECTUS) were literal monsters, making hits on BOTH MySpace and Soundclick left and right.
It was a great experience for me, and I wish my former 'bandmates' the best, as we ALL continue to FUNK THIS SUCKA!! WOOF!!!
NO. It's always been mainly ME, so it was hard to get folks to play with me. I didn't want to just sing off of backing tracks--where would that leave the instrumentals? Also, since I've always been working 6 Days A Week (mainly at night!!), I just don't have the TIME to perform live, even if I could.
No Problem. I don't want to be a superstar; just write songs, make music and record and create.
George Clinton is my SUPER-HERO. But, I also have quite a few other influences in rock and jazz (real JAZZ, not this 'elevator music' called 'quiet-storm'/'smooth jazz'): Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, Bradford Marsalis; Blues: Jimmy Reed, Clarence Carter, Muddy Waters; Pink Floyd, Kiss, Foreigner, Journey and Blue Oyster Cult, as far as Rock.
Right now--with the exception of 'recycled' instrumental tapes, I've been using (much to my chagrin) sampled beats for the past two years--until I can get a NEW KEYBOARD. My original Casio Synths are still in great condition, but--sadly--sound awfully dated now (especially if I record directly on Digital Disc from them).
Well, thanks to MySpace, I've been doing some serious collaborating--over the web; MP3-by-MP3--with some of my Profile Friends, and producing HITS!! (I've got one with The Funkasaurus right now, called "HUNG!!"). Also, outside of getting a newer keyboard, I'm going to be 'prolific' for the first time since '99.
What happened was, 'Life Took Over' after '97, so I had to slow down, but in '99, I simply STOPPED!! Never got rid of my tapes--just stopped and took care of some 'home business'. Didn't even get the internet until about 2003, and STILL learning it. But, after uploading for the first time, in 2005, I've sorta 'come back' with brand new recordings in MARCH of 2006--and haven't stopped.
So, expect more and more from me (both OLD and NEW!!).
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By the way, you can also find me on , whom we're hoping will put up a Music Page in the near future. But, until then:
(my main 'Music Page'), or (just to socialize).
Check me out over there, too, ya'll!!