The Bamboos - Step It Up
(LP/CD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD092, 2006-03-06 (2006-01-30 on P-Vine in Japan)

Tracklisting :
01. Step It Up Feat. Alice Russell 3:38
02. Tighten Up (album version) 3:55
03. In The Bamboo Grove 7:58
04. Golden Rough 3:41
05. Black Foot 3:45
06. Transcend Me Feat. Alice Russell 4:43
07. Tobago Strut 4:25
08. Another Day In The Life Of Mr Jones 3:15
09. Crooked Cop 3:43
10. Eel Oil 3:05
11. Voodoo Doll (album version) 3:33

The Bamboos - Step It Up
(7") Tru Thoughts TRU7094, 2006-02-13

Info :
Excitement flows through my veins as i'm about to put the needle on the cute little 45 I've just received from Tru Thoughts HQ... Yes it's the new Bamboos single, "Step It Up"!!!
From the first notes and beats one thing is obviously immediate and immediatly obvious: it's a dancefloor hit, 100% sure! The bassline is the kind you can't stay seated on, very repetitive and entertaining, heavy and bouncing non stop 'til the end of the track. Funk dressings are served as well, of course, with the funky guitar and its solo dessert, peppered horns licks, ducky background vocals and breakbeating drums all over. Gosh that's a funk bomb or what? Let's check the b-side... F*$%! That WAS the b-side!! Twas the instrumental version of the "Step It Up" I'm now hearing, which adds some storming vocals from none other than new Soul-Funk Queen Alice Russell (if you haven't checked her second album "My Favorite Letters", or her featuring on Quantic Soul Orchestra and other Tru Thoughts artists releases you should do so - trust me on this one).
My my my... The song is now over and I can't help but play it again. That's a confirmation: a hit. The press releases talks about another Alice Russell featuring on the forthcoming album, a cover of Afronaught's extraordinary beautiful broken beat classic "Transcend Me". Ok. Where's my agenda? I've got one Bamboos album to buy on glorious vinyl and a Breakestra concert in Paris in March... Just perfect!
If you want to know more about this australian funk band, see also their complete discography.

Tracklisting :
A. The Bamboos - Step It Up feat. Alice Russell 3:36
B. The Bamboos - Step It Up (Instrumental) 3:36

Press Release :
The Bamboos hail from Australia and picked up a huge amount of fans on the back of their self funded 7" pressing which was limited to 300 copies worldwide. From this they signed a single to Kenny Dope and Deb Darge's Kay Dee Records which helped cement their reputation amongst the world's Funk community as well as fans of heavy dancefloor beats.
The forthcoming album collects this,the first single, as well as new versions of the Kay Dee releases, alongside new tracks which include two tracks with Tru Thoughts artist Alice Russell, the funk bomb 'Step It Up' and the cover version of UK Broken Beat don Afronaught's 'Transcend Me'.
Having toured as the backing band for the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Alice Russell in Australia, as well as in their own right, the one thing you can be guaranteed about The Bamboos is that musically they are supertight!
Enjoy!
...

The Bamboos
Lance Ferguson – Guitar
Daniel Farrugia – Drums
Ben Grayson – Hammond Organ
Yuri Pavlinov – Fender Bass
Anton Delecca – Tenor Saxophone
Ross Irwin – Trumpet

Discography The Bamboos
2006 The Bamboos - Step It Up
(LP/CD) Tru Thoughts Records
2006 The Bamboos - Step It Up (7") Tru Thoughts Records
2004 The Bamboos - Tighten Up / Voodoo Doll
(7") Kay-Dee Records
2003 The Limp Twins – Another day In The Life Of Mr Jones (Bamboo Shack Version)
on Elemental (7") Tru Thoughts TRU058
2003 Soul Source Production feat. The Bamboos - I Feel The Earth Move
on Soul Source Works (CD) Victor Japan
2001 The Bamboos - Eel Oil / Blackfoot
(7") Bamboo Shack

Info :
Melbourne-based 'funk' band. Formed originally as a four-piece in mid-2000 by Lance Ferguson, who had been playing gigs with thrown together line-ups for a long time and decided it would be nice to assemble some of his favourite players into a regular working band. In 2002 they added a horn section and now vocals, which makes The Bamboos today a seven piece line-up. The Bamboos are heavily influenced by the work of the Funk originators from the '68-'73 time period. The Meters, James Brown, Eddie Bo etc - and also the music of people like Grant Green, Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Smith, Reuben wilson, Boogaloo Joe Jones, Idris Mohammad etc.
The idea of using the 7" format was inspired by the work of labels like Desco, Soulfire, Stark Reality etc. The 45 presents a compositional challenge: to come up with something succinct, immediate and memorable in a 3 minute or so timeframe. The link between heavy funk and 'modern' styles ensures that there will always be an audience for it. When people see the band they are being entertained but are also hearing a veritable history of the last twenty years of Hip Hop. When they play something like 'Rootdown' (and get it) some people think they're doing Beastie Boys. The actual sonic timbre of hard breakbeat drums is a sound that people are used to hearing - through Hip Hop, Drum'n'bass etc, so to take the music back to the source is not necessarily such a radical step. In terms of achievement The Bamboos are happy just to be able to contribute - The process is the reward.
Official site : thebamboos.com

Discography Lanu (alias Lance Ferguson from The Bamboos)
2003 Lanu - Outrigger / Ennio Styles & Lanu - Psybossa
(12") Local People Records LOPE001
2003 Lanu - Beijo Do Sol / Mosquito Coast
(12") Equatorial Records ER002
2004 Lanu feat. Christin Deralas - Let You Glow
(12") Local People Records LOPE002
2004 Various - Local People Album
(CD) Local People Records LOPECD001
2005 Soul Source Production - I Believe feat. Bikini Atoll (alias Lanu) / Save Me feat. Bikini Atoll (alias Lanu)
on Soul Source Production (CD)
2005 Barbara Acklin – Am I The Same Girl? (Local People Remix)
on Soul Source Remixed Fevers (CD) Victor Japan VICP-62950

Info :
Lanu is Lance Ferguson, a New Zealand born, Melbourne based guitarist and producer who may also be known as the guitarist and band leader of the world famous deep funk act The Bamboos, producer Lanu, one half of production outfit No Comply, a member of the Local People collective, a DJ and a most highly regarded session musician and remixer. Lanu is a co-founder of Melbournes Local People and Equatorial labels, and is also the label boss of Bamboo Shack Records.


Discography Bennson (alias Ben Grayson from The Bamboos)
2003 Bennson - Coconut Beach
(12") Equatorial Records ER001
2006 Bennson - Close to Paradise (Remixes)
(12") Equatorial Records ER007

Info :
Melbourne Producer/Musician, Bennson (AKA Ben Grayson) began his musical apprenticeship at an early age, copping the rhythmic and harmonic approaches of jazz luminaries such as Kenny Barron and Herbie Hancock. By his mid-teens he was already holding down piano gigs with Melbournes jazz heavyweights. Taking the step to production was inevitable – and Grayson has displayed his versatility with projects running the full spectrum of modern dance music. Between producing and releasing music under the monickers of Bennson, No Comply (Equatorial), playing hammond organ in Australia's premier Deep Funk outfit The Bamboos, and regular DJ engagements – Grayson continues to keep pushing his abilities and re-defining the role of a modern ‘musician'.


Discography No Comply (alias Lance Ferguson & Ben Grayson from The Bamboos)
2005 The Society - Human Nature (Diesler remix) / (No Comply remix)
(12") Freestyle FSR029
2005 Eddit - Samba Do Bell (No Comply Remix)
(12") Equatorial Records ER004
2004 Los Cabrones / No Comply - Hole Que Tal (No Comply Mix) / 4th Floor Fiesta
(12") Freestyle Records FSR016
2004 No Comply / Los Cabrones - 4th Floor Fiesta / Hole Que Tal (No Comply Mix)
(12") Equatorial Records ER003


Discography Cookin' On 3 Burners (alias Lance Ferguson (Guitar) from The Bamboos with Jake Mason (Hammond organ) & Ivan Khatchoyan (Drums)
1997 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Jazz + Funk (K7)
1998 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Self Titled (CD)
2000 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Steamed Up (CD)
2002 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Gravel Rash / Pie Warmer
(7") Bamboo Shack BR002
2005 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Gravel Rash / Mango Skin
(7") Freestyle Records FSR7016
2005 Cookin' On 3 Burners - Cressy St. Breakdown
(7") Knowfool (NZ) FOOWL001

Info :
Cookin’ On 3 Burners are Australia’s foremost organ trio – joining the dots between funk, soul, boogaloo & jazz. Long time partners Lance Ferguson (guitar), Ivan Khatchoyan (drums) and Jake Mason (organ) have taken their home brew of soulful Hammond get down everywhere from national jazz festivals to after hours bars and clubs. With their releases receiving acclaim from international DJ’s, jazz critics and fans alike, Cookin’ on 3 Burners continue to deliver upfront musical dishes with a down home flavour... fresh sounds to make you shake your peas and gravy.
Official website : alphalink.com.au/~jmason/cotb/content
Lance Ferguson – Guitar
Lance Ferguson graduated from The Victorian College Of The Arts School of Music in 1998 – quickly establishing himself as an in-demand session Guitarist in the Jazz/Soul/Funk scene. He has performed with Australian artists such as Doug Parkinson, Renee Geyer, Venetta Fields, Ian Chaplin, Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Nina Ferro and Los Cabrones.
Ivan Khatchoyan – Drums
Ivan "choi" Khatchoyan- Drummer/Producer/writer. Ivan was born in Montreal, Canada where he started showing his love of music early. Since arriving in Melbourne, Australia in 1990, Ivan graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts(1998) with fellow band mates Lance and Jake and has been a hardworker within the Jazz/Funk/Hip Hop scene. He has produced and co-written with various artists and bands including Cranky, Renee Geyer, Oscillate, Tony Gould, Ruth Rogers Wright, Mark Fitzgibon, Cookin on 3 Burners, True Live, PHAT LOGIC crew, Chan Doi, and Velure.
Jake Mason – Organ
After hearing an old beaten up Hammond organ for the first time in his late teens, Jake has been an organ disciple ever since. With more than a nudge from the 50’ & 60’s organ heritage, he has also branded a jazz and funk style of his own. With Cookin’ On 3 Burners taking the focus he also splits his time by leading and playing saxophone in his own band Deode and as a side man in other projects.


Discography Beachcomber (alias Lance Ferguson from The Bamboos and CJ Dolan)
2002 Beachcomber – Riviera
on Moonlight Recordings Vol 3 (2xCD) Level Two/Warner
2003 Beachcomber - Salt
on Nouveau: Cosmopolitan (CD) Level Two/Inertia
2004 Beachcomber - Salt
on Music At Moonlight Vol.4 (CD) Warner


A Selection of Compilations
2005 Lanu - Mosquito Coast / Eddit - Samba Do Bell (No Comply Remix)
(12") Freestyle Records FSR024
2005 Various - Climate Shift
(CD) Equatorial Records ER005
2005 Various - Climate Shift Album Sampler
(12") Equatorial Records ER006
2005 Various - Stay On The Groove: 20 Modern Funk Anthems
(CD) Freestyle FSRCD007
...

The Bamboos
(Lance Ferguson, Ben Grayson, Daniel Farrugia, Yuri Pavlinov, Anton Delecca, Ross Irwin)

The Band :
Lance Ferguson – Guitar
Daniel Farrugia – Drums
Ben Grayson – Hammond Organ
Yuri Pavlinov – Fender Bass
Anton Delecca – Tenor Saxophone
Ross Irwin – Trumpet

Official site :
thebamboos.com

Biography :
Melbourne-based 'funk' band. Formed originally as a four-piece in mid-2000 by Lance Ferguson, who had been playing gigs with thrown together line-ups for a long time and decided it would be nice to assemble some of his favourite players into a regular working band. In 2002 they added a horn section and now vocals, which makes The Bamboos today a seven piece line-up. The Bamboos are heavily influenced by the work of the Funk originators from the '68-'73 time period. The Meters, James Brown, Eddie Bo etc - and also the music of people like Grant Green, Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Smith, Reuben wilson, Boogaloo Joe Jones, Idris Mohammad etc.
The idea of using the 7" format was inspired by the work of labels like Desco, Soulfire, Stark Reality etc. The 45 presents a compositional challenge: to come up with something succinct, immediate and memorable in a 3 minute or so timeframe. The link between heavy funk and 'modern' styles ensures that there will always be an audience for it. When people see the band they are being entertained but are also hearing a veritable history of the last twenty years of Hip Hop. When they play something like 'Rootdown' (and get it) some people think they're doing Beastie Boys. The actual sonic timbre of hard breakbeat drums is a sound that people are used to hearing - through Hip Hop, Drum'n'bass etc, so to take the music back to the source is not necessarily such a radical step. In terms of achievement The Bamboos are happy just to be able to contribute - The process is the reward.

Discography :


The Bamboos - Step It Up
(LP/CD) Tru Thoughts Records 2006-02


The Bamboos - Tighten Up / Voodoo Doll
(7") Kay-Dee Records KD002, 2004-04-20

Tracklisting :
A1. The Bamboos - Tighten Up
B1. The Bamboos - Voodoo Doll

Info :
Kay-Dee Records is the label formed by Keb Darge & Kenny Dope
Limited edition 500 copies.
A1. Archie Bell & The Drells cover.


The Bamboos - Eel Oil / Blackfoot
(7") Bamboo Shack BR001, 2001 Sold Out

Tracklisting :
A1. The Bamboos - Eel Oil
B1. The Bamboos - Blackfoot

Info :
Bamboo Shack Records - Melbourne, Australia
Formed in 2001 by Melbourne producer/musician Lance Ferguson, the Bamboo Shack imprint is Australia's premier DeepFunk label. Focusing on raw, super-heavy Breakbeat driven dancefloor funk. Bamboo Shack releases have received acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Keb Darge, Snowboy and Jazzanova. Home to The Bamboos and Cookin' On 3 Burners, Bamboo Shack will continue to document the Australasian Deepfunk scene with a string of slamming 45's.

Alice Russell & Quantic Soul Orchestra - Live from The Prince, Melbourne
(MP3 Broadcast on Straight.com.au) 2005-11-18

Info :
Live from The Prince in Melbourne a 90 minute set by Ms Alice Russell with the Quantic Soul Orchestra and The Bamboos. An explosive concert.
Listen to the show here

Playlist :
01. Intro/West Pier Getdown
02. Golden Rough
03. Don't Joke With A Hungry Man
04. Mean to me
05. Somebodys gonna love you
06. Step it up
07. Heard It All Before
08. High up on the hook
09. Sweet Is The Air
10. Take Your Time, Change Your Mind
11. Hurry on now
12. Stampede
13. That Goose On My Grave
14. Get A Move On
15. Tighten up
16. San Sebastian Strut
17. 7 Nation Army
18. Fly in the hand
19. End Of The Road
...

Various - Stay On The Groove: 20 Modern Funk Anthems
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD007 2005-10-31

Tracklisting :
01. The New Mastersounds - Stay On The Groove
02. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes?
03. Troubled Soul - Funky Me (Part 1 & 2)
04. The New Process - Freedom
05. Jaguar - Battle Of Funk
06. Breakestra - Show & Prove (Part 1 & 2)
07. Lefties Soul Connection - Doin' The Thing
08. Cookin' On Three Burners - Gravel Rash
09. Poets Of Rhythm - Ham Gallery
10. Quantic - Don't Joke With A Hungry Man (feat Spanky Wilson)
11. MFOS - El Padrino
12. Speedometer - Work It Out
13. Quantic Soul Orchestra - Hold It Down
14. Context - If I Had A Band
15. Ria Currie & The Deep Soul Messangers - Everything's Gonna Be Alright
16. The New Mastersounds - Two Note Brown
17. Lee Fields & The Dap Kings - Give Me A Chance
18. BDM - No Rest For The Wicked
19. Sharon Jackson & The Soul Destroyers - Fakin' It
20. The Bamboos - Tighten Up

The Bamboos - Tighten Up / Voodoo Doll
(7") Kay-Dee Records KD002, 2004-04-20

Tracklisting :
A1. The Bamboos - Tighten Up
B1. The Bamboos - Voodoo Doll

Info :
Kay-Dee Records is the label formed by Keb Darge & Kenny Dope
Limited edition 500 copies.
A1. Archie Bell & The Drells cover.
...

Soul Source Production feat. The Bamboos - I Feel The Earth Move
on Various - Soul Source: Works
(CD) Victor VICP-62657, JAPAN, 2004-03-24

Tracklisting : 01. Soul Source Production - Wat If...
02. Sofa King - Saturday In The Park
03. The Jackson 5 - Darling Dear (Rejuvenated by Muro Mix)
04. Lanu featuring Chiristin Deralas - Let You Glow
05. Dimitri From Paris - This Is Your Life (Soul Source Production Mix)
06. Private Kitchen Featuring Soul Source - Cavatina
07. The Jackson 5 - The Love You Save (Asakusa S.C.’01 Mix:Sunaga’t Experience)
08. Toshio Matsuura - Samba de Gilles
09. Ellen Mcllwaine - Ain't No Two Ways To It (It's Love)
10. Soul Source Production Featuring The Bamboos - I Feel The Earth Move
11. Racla - Kodo
12. Sofa King - After The Love Has Gone


"I Feel The Earth Move" also available on :
Soul Source: Works (CD Sampler) Victor, JAPAN, 2004
...

SINGLE
The Limp Twins - Elemental

The Limp Twins - Elemental
(7") Tru Thoughts TRU058, 2003-12-08

Tracklisting :
1. The Limp Twins - Elemental
2. The Limp Twins - A Day In The Life Of Mr Jones (Bamboo Shack mix)
...