2014-04-27
The Bamboos are a nine-piece soul/funk band from Melbourne, Australia, fronted
by Lance Ferguson. The group formed in 2000 in Melbourne with a four-piece band
for live performances. Their first singles were released in 2001, but it was
not until 2006 that their debut, 11-track album, Set It Up, was released. Since, The Bamboos have gained members and
released four other studio albums, including 2012 acclaimed Medicine Man. Fever In The Road will be released May 15, 2014 in the US and features old and new members, including
Lance Ferguson (guitar, keyboards, bass, organ), Ella Thompson (vocals), Graeme
Pogson (drums, percussion), Yuri Pavlinov (bass), Simon Mavin (organ, piano),
John Castle (guitar, keyboards, bass, piano, percussion), Kylie Auldist (vocals),
Ross Irwin (trumpet, flugelhorn), Anton Delecca (tenor saxophone), Phillip Noy
(baritone saxophone), Aaron Barnden (violin), and Charlotte Jacke (cello). The
album opens with the first single "Avenger," with Ella Thompson's vocals
grooving over Ferguson's guitar and Pogson's steady rhythms. "Helpless Blues"
features Thompson's seductive vocals and Pavlinov's quick bass lines. Kyle
Auldists vocals take the lead on "Rats," featuring cowbell and sleigh bells
from the multitalented Castle. Critics, including Rolling Stone, believe the evolving sound of Soul is embodied in The
Bamboos.
Richard Martin
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