Lance Ferguson covers the classics in ‘Rare Groove Spectrum Vol.2’
Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 2 is another solid collection of re-works and re-imaginings from Lance Ferguson, encompassing a broad and engaging range of classic tracks, traversing jazz funk rarities, balearic digs, latin groovers and more. Backed by a stellar group of Melbourne musicians counting members of The Bamboos & Menagerie, Lance continues the tradition of creating “live re-edits” demonstrated on the initial volume. It’s all pulled off with an inimitable style and playfulness, though always with an obvious love for the foundations.
Lance explains that much of the inspiration for the re-works comes equally from his experience as a DJ as much as a bandleader:: “Some of these versions can almost be looked at as DJ re-edits, sometimes we’re extending what may be a really short track into something longer, or teasing out the elements in a song that really make it work on a dance-floor. It’s essentially what someone does with a club re-edit, except we went the extra step and re-recorded the whole thing with a live band”
From Carly Simon‘s classic “Why” through to Mongo Santamaria‘s latin gem “Hot Dog” via Marcos Valle‘s “Estrelar” and Pat Metheny‘s “Sueno Con Mexico” – this second volume of Lance Ferguson’s Rare Groove Spectrum again provides new perspectives on the obscure to the well-loved, from old-school to new sounds. Following the championing of Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 1 by the likes of Gilles Peterson, Craig Charles, Jazz FM and more, just like the original records, Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 2 is bound to find it’s way to all the right record bags.
“Rare Groove Spectrum Vol.2” out on CD / LP / Digi on Jan 28th via Freestyle
