New  Zealand-born, Melbourne-based multi-hyphenate Lance Ferguson presents new album Rare Groove Spectrum Vol.3, a soulful, live-band journey covering classics and rarities in funk, jazz, latin, soul and beyond, fusing crate-digger sensibilities with modern studio craft.

Following singles “Could Heaven Ever Be Like This“, a vibrant reimagining of Idris Muhammad’s 1977 jazz-funk cut, “Dominoes”, a bold take on Jungle’s cult track, and a rich reinterpretation of Billie Eilish’s “My Future”, featuring Australian soul and jazz singer Rita Satch, the album spans obscure ‘70s Australian jazz-funk, big band soul breaks, Latin-fusion classics and golden-era funk reworks, with each track filtered through Lance’s deep musical vocabulary and intuitive ear. “A big part of this series is honouring the originals while finding a new way in. You’ve got to be reverent, but inventive too”, he explains.

The album’s focus track, “Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong”, encapsulates the heart of the Rare Groove Spectrum ethos: radical reinterpretation with deep respect. “I always wanted to hear Gene Harris’s Latin-fusion cut reimagined as a straight Bossa Nova. The vocal section even leans into a Brasil ‘66 vibe, which I think really suits it”.

One of the most ambitious productions on the album, “Runnin'” sees Lance channelling the widescreen sound of Earth, Wind & Fire, with a richly layered arrangement that took more studio time than any other track. On “Fourty Days”, he revisits Billy Brooks’ jazz-funk classic, famously sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, adding a full, cinematic horn section to match the original’s scale. “Oz Bump (Soul Thing)” is a playful nod to the Australian group Hot Source, a high-energy cover of their own 1975 reinterpretation of a Keith Mansfield tune.

Lance also shines a light on homegrown legends with “Song For Bobby”, originally by ‘70s jazz-funk outfit Pyramid, featuring a heartfelt solo by Ross Irwin in tribute to the late Bobby Venier. While “Dig On It” takes a looser, jam-based approach inspired by Jimmy McGriff’s deep groove, “Caveman Boogie” leans into a live, dancefloor-ready feel, adding bounce and rhythmic punch to a crate-digger favourite.

Known for his work with The Bamboos, Menagerie and Lanu, Lance has carved a reputation as one of Australia’s most versatile and visionary musical minds. Lance has produced 45 full-length albums and more than 100 singles and remixes for an array of respected labels, including Atlantic, Universal, Warner, BMG, Sony, Tru Thoughts (UK), Ubiquity (USA), Inertia (Australia), Freestyle (UK) and his own imprint Pacific Theatre.

With Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 3, Lance Ferguson continues to make a compelling case for the vitality of reworking the past. Far more than a series of covers, these are reinterpretations built on deep listening, musician-to-musician respect and Lance’s singular ability to unite soul, funk and jazz across eras, styles and continents..