Menagerie is the spiritual jazz project from the prolific producer, songwriter and guitarist Lance Ferguson, best known for his eclectic and highly acclaimed work under the Lanu and The Bamboos monikers, and here venturing out to explore new musical terrain. A true ensemble project, on which Lance takes a back seat in performance – soloing only once and otherwise letting his Menagerie do their thing – the album was recorded with the assistance of long-time production partner and engineer John Castle. On the album they have inherited the sound of some of the classic music of Harry Whitaker, Gary Bartz, McCoy Tyner, Weldon Irvine and the labels Tribe, Strata East and Black Jazz. But far from being simply a 1975 time capsule, this project is pushing forward; songs like The Chosen sound like a live jazz take on some of the club music experiments of the 21st century producers who have been inspired by Ayers, Mizell and the like.
The first album, ‘They Shall Inherit’ is out on Tru Thoughts in December 2012 on CD, vinyl and digital; featuring a guest appearance from the legendary US jazz/funk vibraphonist Roy Ayers, the album has gained early support from the authority on all things leftfield, Gilles Peterson (Worldwide/BBC 6Music).
Full Thought publish the Menagerie album, so get in touch if you wish to hear more material or would like to use any of the music - mail@fullthought.co.uk
Listen to 'Leroy The Lion feat. Roy Ayers' over on the Tru Thoughts page or Wax Poetics.
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