Formed in 2000 by NZ guitarist Lance Ferguson, and through umpteen line-up changes, The Bamboos have evolved into a unique and tight funk unit praised by many as being the best in the current era.

After over a decade they are now changing tack with their latest record Medicine Man. The Bamboos have always incorporated guest vocalists who add nuance to their sound. This time they have teamed with Tim Rogers, Daniel Merriweather, Aloe Blacc and Megan Washington. The result is a broader sound that sees them evolving from their retro sound and perhaps gaining a bigger audience (not that they don’t already have a huge fan base here and in Europe).

Michael Awosoga-Samuel is from Readings Carlton