Description
Lance Ferguson is a New Zealand-born producer, songwriter, guitarist, DJ, and artist based in Melbourne. As a producer and collaborator, he has worked with a diverse range of artists, including Arrow Black, Roy Ayers, Kuantik, and many more. Acclaimed for his genre-defying approach and often hailed as "Australia's Mark Ronson," he has also performed as a guitarist with legends such as Ed Sheeran, Sly Johnson, and Joe Bonamassa. Now, he presents the third installment in his highly acclaimed series, Rare Groove Spectrum, Vol. 3.
This latest volume explores a wide range of material, from 1970s Australian jazz-funk and big band soul breaks to Latin-fusion classics and reimagined golden-era funk, all reconstructed through Lance's rich musical vocabulary and intuitive ear.
Throughout the album, Lance's meticulous skill as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger shines through, blending crate-digger sensibilities with modern studio craft. "The overarching theme of this series is to pay tribute to the originals while finding a new angle. You have to be reverent, but you also have to be inventive," he says.
The album features "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This," a vivid reimagining of Idris Muhammad's 1977 jazz-funk masterpiece; "Dominoes," a bold resurrection of a Jungle cult track; and a dense rework of Billie Eilish's "My Future," featuring Australian soul and jazz singer Rita Satch. The album's key track, "Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong," encapsulates the spirit of Rare Groove Spectrum: a radical reinterpretation rooted in deep respect.
"I'd always wanted to hear what it would sound like to reconstruct a Gene Harris Latin-fusion track as straightforward bossa nova. The vocal parts are in the style of Brasil '66, and I think they suit the song perfectly," Lance says.
One of the album's most ambitious productions, "Runnin'," masterfully captures the expansive sound of Earth, Wind & Fire. The layered arrangement required the most studio time on the album. "Fourty Days," a jazz-funk classic by Billy Brooks known for being sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, features a sumptuous horn section that rivals the grandeur of the original. "Oz Bump (Soul Thing)" is another playful track, covering Hot Sauce's 1975 reinterpretation of a song by Keith Mansfield.
"Song For Bobby" takes on a track by 1970s jazz-funk band Pyramid and features an emotive solo by Ross Irwin as a tribute to the late Bobby Venia. "Dig On It" draws inspiration from Jimmy McGriff's deep grooves, exploring a looser, jam-oriented approach. "Caveman Boogie" emphasizes a live, dancefloor-ready feel, adding bounce and rhythmic power to a classic beloved by crate-diggers.
With Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 3, Lance Ferguson once again makes a compelling case for the vitality of reconstructing the past. These are not mere covers, but reinterpretations underpinned by deep listening, mutual respect among musicians, and Lance's unique ability to connect soul, funk, and jazz across eras, styles, and continents.
A1. Dominoes
A2. My Future feat. Rita Satch
A3. Runnin'
A4. Fourty Days
A5. Oz Bump (Soul Thing)
B1. Could Heaven Ever Be Like This
B2. Caveman Boogie
B3. Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong
B4. Song For Bobby
The third installment in Lance Ferguson's acclaimed Rare Groove Spectrum series builds on the success of Vol. 1 & 2, offering a fresh set of reimagined classics. From '70s Australian jazz-funk and Latin-fusion to big band soul and golden-era funk, Ferguson blends crate-digger sensibilities with modern studio craft.
Standout cuts include bold reworks of Idris Muhammad, Billie Eilish, Jungle, Billy Brooks and more, with the focus track "Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong" delivering a Gene Harris reinterpretation infused with Bossa Nova and Brasil '66 flair. Showcasing Ferguson's mastery as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger, the album brims with rich, cinematic productions throughout.
